\\n\\n\u003Ch2 align=\"center\">This Is What We’re Made Of\u003C/h2>\\n\u003Ch5 align=\"center\">It’s not just code, ideas, or strategy — it’s people. This is the heart of everything we’ve built, and the reason we keep building.\u003C/h4>\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/3\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_0242_03646eb73f.jpg\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5941_48722e02e3.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_2980_3d86c93aaa.jpg\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_2982_dc0fc89643.jpg\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='true' type=\"1/3\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5876_aee7672f16.png\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5928_e6d3f7c045.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5840_e324c94b18.png\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5903_12f0381ed8.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/3\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_7405_bf7cf14fee.jpg\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5944_7f28c52f69.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5932_e0bc0bcf04.png\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5923_eb52428bab.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='true' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/69952538773_CC_5_E921_F_247_A_417_B_AE_0_A_9_E5_A8_B012063_cba110d214.jpg\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_0071_2321fb00ca.jpg\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5822_1cf757db9a.png\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5823_68dfb8f5b7.jpg\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_0663_73654e02db.jpg\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_0419_9e44f86133.jpg\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/3\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_3002_84196682c7.jpg\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5843_b43466e39f.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/2\" first-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5880_29825849c3.png\" second-image=\"/images/gallery/IMG_5878_2972d52069.png\"}\\n::\\n\\n\u003Ch5 align=\"center\">Forever grateful for each and every one of you — whether you're in these photos or not.\u003C/h4>\\n\u003Ch3 align=\"center\">Thank you ❤️\u003C/h3>",{"title":8,"description":223},"en/building-culture","Culture isn't built in slogans — it's built in trust, consistency, and the people who show up every day. This page is a reflection of our beliefs - we value every voice, reward initiative, encourage learning, and lead with empathy. From the letter that started it all to the teams that brought it to life, this is what defines how we work — and why we keep building together.","0VgGV0CEqswWR9AVFirNM20HqbbSKSV-GcczyDKMZv0",{"id":237,"title":238,"body":239,"description":282,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":283,"navigation":284,"path":285,"rawbody":286,"seo":287,"stem":288,"summary":289,"tts":228,"__hash__":290},"pages/en/current-focus.md","Current Focus",{"type":10,"value":240,"toc":280},[241],[13,242,243,246,249,252,255,258,261,264,277],{"breadcrumbTitle":238},[16,244,245],{},"Building for the next era.",[16,247,248],{},"Over the past two decades, I’ve poured my energy into acquiring skills, building companies, scaling teams, and—when the timing was right—successfully exiting a few along the way. That journey has been driven by relentless curiosity, hands-on execution, and a deep focus on value creation.",[16,250,251],{},"In the last 6–12 months, it’s become unmistakably clear: the future is AI.",[16,253,254],{},"AI is already reshaping the world of white-collar work. I believe it will fundamentally transform how agencies operate and how we, as builders—developers, product owners, designers, strategists—create, deliver, and collaborate.",[16,256,257],{},"That’s why my primary focus today is preparing myself, and my team, for this shift. Our goal is to evolve into a truly AI-Native Company.",[16,259,260],{},"This means rethinking everything—from how we communicate and make decisions to how we build, deliver, and support. It’s not just about using AI tools. It’s about deeply integrating AI into our workflows, our services, and our mindset.",[16,262,263],{},"Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing our journey:",[265,266,267,271,274],"ul",{},[268,269,270],"li",{},"how we’re enabling a team of 150+ people",[268,272,273],{},"how we’re reimagining our services through an AI lens",[268,275,276],{},"how we’re building solutions designed to deliver 10x value—for our clients, our team, and the future",[16,278,279],{},"If you’re navigating similar changes, or just curious to follow along, I invite you to stay connected.",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":281},[],"Discover Alen Malkoč’s current focus on building AI-native companies. Follow his journey as he transforms teams, services, and workflows to thrive in the new era of AI-powered business.",{},{"title":238,"visible":228,"order":222},"/en/current-focus","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Current Focus\"\\ndescription: \"Discover Alen Malkoč’s current focus on building AI-native companies. Follow his journey as he transforms teams, services, and workflows to thrive in the new era of AI-powered business.\"\\nsummary: \"AI is reshaping the way we work—starting with white-collar jobs. Over the next decade, the biggest shift won’t just be in tools, but in how teams think, build, and deliver. Our focus is becoming AI-native: reworking how we communicate, operate, and create value. This isn’t about adding AI on top — it’s about rebuilding from within. We’re enabling a 150+ person team to evolve, and building services that deliver 10x outcomes for our clients, our people, and our future.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: Current Focus\\n visible: true\\n order: 3\\n---\\n\\n::content\\n---\\nbreadcrumbTitle: Current Focus\\n---\\n\\nBuilding for the next era.\\n\\nOver the past two decades, I’ve poured my energy into acquiring skills, building companies, scaling teams, and—when the timing was right—successfully exiting a few along the way. That journey has been driven by relentless curiosity, hands-on execution, and a deep focus on value creation.\\n\\nIn the last 6–12 months, it’s become unmistakably clear: the future is AI.\\n\\nAI is already reshaping the world of white-collar work. I believe it will fundamentally transform how agencies operate and how we, as builders—developers, product owners, designers, strategists—create, deliver, and collaborate.\\n\\nThat’s why my primary focus today is preparing myself, and my team, for this shift. Our goal is to evolve into a truly AI-Native Company.\\n\\nThis means rethinking everything—from how we communicate and make decisions to how we build, deliver, and support. It’s not just about using AI tools. It’s about deeply integrating AI into our workflows, our services, and our mindset.\\n\\nOver the coming months, I’ll be sharing our journey:\\n- how we’re enabling a team of 150+ people \\n- how we’re reimagining our services through an AI lens \\n- how we’re building solutions designed to deliver 10x value—for our clients, our team, and the future\\n\\nIf you’re navigating similar changes, or just curious to follow along, I invite you to stay connected.\\n",{"title":238,"description":282},"en/current-focus","AI is reshaping the way we work—starting with white-collar jobs. Over the next decade, the biggest shift won’t just be in tools, but in how teams think, build, and deliver. Our focus is becoming AI-native: reworking how we communicate, operate, and create value. This isn’t about adding AI on top — it’s about rebuilding from within. We’re enabling a 150+ person team to evolve, and building services that deliver 10x outcomes for our clients, our people, and our future.","OvMSBieqU0TsCpxDTUP-KoMc72eGDtrOQFwe_hc1GwU",{"id":292,"title":293,"body":294,"description":303,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":304,"navigation":305,"path":308,"rawbody":309,"seo":310,"stem":311,"summary":312,"tts":228,"__hash__":313},"pages/en/engage.md","Engage with me.",{"type":10,"value":295,"toc":301},[296],[297,298],"contact",{"text":299,"title":300},"I’m always open to meaningful conversations—whether it’s about potential collaborations, podcast invites, speaking engagements, or just an idea you’d like to run by me. My current focus is on AI, startups, and e-commerce, and I enjoy connecting with others in and around these spaces. \u003Cbr> If you represent a business and aren’t sure how my companies or I might be able to help, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to explore possibilities.","Want to collaborate / work together?",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":302},[],"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur building the next generation of AI-powered companies. Based in Sarajevo, I’ve led and exited multiple tech startups, including HulkApps. I’ve also helped shape the growth of Shop Circle, a global e-commerce technology group.",{},{"title":306,"visible":228,"order":307},"Engage",0,"/en/engage","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Engage with me.\"\\ndescription: \"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur building the next generation of AI-powered companies. Based in Sarajevo, I’ve led and exited multiple tech startups, including HulkApps. I’ve also helped shape the growth of Shop Circle, a global e-commerce technology group.\"\\nsummary: \"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur building the next generation of AI-powered companies.Based in Sarajevo, I’ve led and exited multiple tech startups, including HulkApps. I’ve also helped shape the growth of Shop Circle, a global e-commerce technology group.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"Engage\"\\n visible: true\\n order: 0\\n---\\n\\n::contact\\n---\\ntext: \"I’m always open to meaningful conversations—whether it’s about potential collaborations, podcast invites, speaking engagements, or just an idea you’d like to run by me. My current focus is on AI, startups, and e-commerce, and I enjoy connecting with others in and around these spaces. \u003Cbr> If you represent a business and aren’t sure how my companies or I might be able to help, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to explore possibilities.\"\\ntitle: \"Want to collaborate / work together?\"\\n---\\n::\\n",{"title":293,"description":303},"en/engage","Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur building the next generation of AI-powered companies.Based in Sarajevo, I’ve led and exited multiple tech startups, including HulkApps. I’ve also helped shape the growth of Shop Circle, a global e-commerce technology group.","IIUWjCV3Qpqdgi6o-6wrbB3g9W3nVCeNTl-65qt41bg",{"id":315,"title":316,"body":317,"description":380,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":381,"navigation":382,"path":385,"rawbody":386,"seo":387,"stem":388,"summary":389,"tts":228,"__hash__":390},"pages/en/index.md","Welcome to Alen Malkoč",{"type":10,"value":318,"toc":378},[319,352,358,364,371],[320,321,326,347],"hero",{":stats":322,"buttonText":323,"buttonUrl":324,"image":325},"[{\"name\":\"Global SaaS Users Served\",\"value\":\"150000\"},{\"name\":\"Brands & Projects Delivered\",\"value\":\"1000\"},{\"name\":\"People Led\",\"value\":\"500\"}]","Get in Touch","/engage","/images/alen.png",[327,328,329],"template",{"v-slot:title":216},[16,330,331,332,337,338,337,340,346],{},"Founder, CEO, ",[333,334],"asterisk",{"className":335},[336],"hero-asterisk"," ",[23,339],{},[341,342,345],"span",{"className":343},[344],"serif-italic","Growth"," Strategist.",[327,348,349],{"v-slot:subTitle":216},[16,350,351],{},"Driving value for teams, brands, and partners since 2009.",[353,354],"logos",{":logos":355,"subtitle":356,"title":357},"[{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/logo-1.svg\",\"alt\":\"10x\",\"slug\":\"10x\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/logo-2.svg\",\"alt\":\"Flyrank\",\"slug\":\"flyrank\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/powercommerce.svg\",\"alt\":\"PowerCommerce\",\"slug\":\"powercommerce\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/shopCircle.svg\",\"alt\":\"Shop Circle\",\"slug\":\"shop-circle\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/hulkApps.svg\",\"alt\":\"Hulk Apps\",\"slug\":\"hulk-apps\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/praella.svg\",\"alt\":\"Praella\",\"slug\":\"praella\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/cartHook.svg\",\"alt\":\"Cart Hook\",\"slug\":\"cart-hook\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/wolfpoint.svg\",\"alt\":\"Wolfpoint\",\"slug\":\"powercommerce\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/releasit.svg\",\"alt\":\"Releasit\",\"slug\":\"releasit\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/optyn.svg\",\"alt\":\"Optyn\",\"slug\":\"optyn\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/accentuate.svg\",\"alt\":\"Accentuate\",\"slug\":\"accentuate\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/rush.svg\",\"alt\":\"Rush\",\"slug\":\"rush\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/seapixel.svg\",\"alt\":\"Seapixel\",\"slug\":\"seapixel\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/bold.svg\",\"alt\":\"Bold\",\"slug\":\"bold\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/eastsideCo.svg\",\"alt\":\"EastsideCO\",\"slug\":\"eastsideco\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/empist.svg\",\"alt\":\"Empist\",\"slug\":\"lumia\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/lumia.svg\",\"alt\":\"Lumia\",\"slug\":\"lumia\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/nCrowd.svg\",\"alt\":\"nCrowd\",\"slug\":\"dealster\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/dealster.svg\",\"alt\":\"Dealster\",\"slug\":\"dealster\"},{\"path\":\"/images/businesses/chitownDeals.svg\",\"alt\":\"Chitown Deals\",\"slug\":\"chitown-deals\"}]","Real ventures. 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Around the globe.","Trusted by Top Brands",[365,366],"bento-plain",{":dataArray":367,":socialMenu":131,"breadcrumbTitle":368,"text":369,"title":370},"[{\"title\":\"The Future is Now\",\"subtitle\":\"AI is not optional\",\"text\":\"AI is reshaping how we live, work, and build. The future belongs to those who move fast, stay curious, and lead with purpose.\",\"url\":\"/current-focus\"},{\"title\":\"Professional Journey\",\"subtitle\":\"Built from the ground up\",\"text\":\"From coding in high school to scaling SaaS startups, I’ve lived the founder journey and successfully supported some of the bigger names in ecommerce such as HulkApps, Shop Circle, & Praella.\",\"url\":\"/ventures\"},{\"title\":\"Personal Identity\",\"subtitle\":\"Rooted in values\",\"text\":\"I’m a dad, husband, and family-first person who’s always looking to help, grow, and bring positive energy to others.\",\"url\":\"/building-culture\"}]","About me","— father, husband, entrepreneur, and operator. I’ve spent the last two decades building, scaling, and selling companies across the digital landscape. From founding startups to leading enterprise growth, my journey is defined by resilience, curiosity, and a relentless focus on creating value for employees, brands, and partners.","I’m Alen Malkoč",[372,373],"articles",{"formText":374,"formTitle":375,"subtitle":376,"title":377},"Get weekly insights on AI, SEO, and Growth Marketing delivered to your inbox. No spam, just the good stuff.","Subscribe for Weekly Insights","Ideas & Lessons from the frontlines","Insights & Stories",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":379},[],"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur behind HulkApps and Shop Circle, now building AI-native companies from Sarajevo.",{},{"title":383,"visible":384},"Home",false,"/en","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Welcome to Alen Malkoč\"\\ndescription: \"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur behind HulkApps and Shop Circle, now building AI-native companies from Sarajevo.\"\\nsummary: \"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur behind HulkApps, Praella, and Shop Circle, now building AI-native companies from Sarajevo. Over the past decade, I’ve built, scaled, and sold businesses across ecommerce, SaaS, and AI — all with a bias toward speed, product excellence, and real-world value. 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See you around.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"Home\"\\n visible: false\\n---\\n\\n::hero\\n---\\nstats:\\n - name: \"Global SaaS Users Served\"\\n value: \"150000\"\\n - name: \"Brands & Projects Delivered\"\\n value: \"1000\"\\n - name: \"People Led\"\\n value: \"500\"\\nbuttonText: \"Get in Touch\"\\nbuttonUrl: /engage\\nimage: /images/alen.png\\n---\\n#title\\nFounder, CEO, :asterisk{.hero-asterisk} :br \u003Cspan class=\"serif-italic\">Growth\u003C/span> Strategist.\\n\\n#subTitle\\nDriving value for teams, brands, and partners since 2009.\\n::\\n\\n::logos\\n---\\nlogos:\\n - path: /images/businesses/logo-1.svg\\n alt: \"10x\"\\n slug: 10x\\n - path: /images/businesses/logo-2.svg\\n alt: \"Flyrank\"\\n slug: flyrank\\n - path: /images/businesses/powercommerce.svg\\n alt: \"PowerCommerce\"\\n slug: powercommerce\\n - path: /images/businesses/shopCircle.svg\\n alt: \"Shop Circle\"\\n slug: shop-circle\\n - path: /images/businesses/hulkApps.svg\\n alt: \"Hulk Apps\"\\n slug: hulk-apps\\n - path: /images/businesses/praella.svg\\n alt: \"Praella\"\\n slug: praella\\n - path: /images/businesses/cartHook.svg\\n alt: \"Cart Hook\"\\n slug: cart-hook\\n - path: /images/businesses/wolfpoint.svg\\n alt: \"Wolfpoint\"\\n slug: powercommerce\\n - path: /images/businesses/releasit.svg\\n alt: \"Releasit\"\\n slug: releasit\\n - path: /images/businesses/optyn.svg\\n alt: \"Optyn\"\\n slug: optyn\\n - path: /images/businesses/accentuate.svg\\n alt: \"Accentuate\"\\n slug: accentuate\\n - path: /images/businesses/rush.svg\\n alt: \"Rush\"\\n slug: rush\\n - path: /images/businesses/seapixel.svg\\n alt: \"Seapixel\"\\n slug: seapixel\\n - path: /images/businesses/bold.svg\\n alt: \"Bold\"\\n slug: bold\\n - path: /images/businesses/eastsideCo.svg\\n alt: \"EastsideCO\"\\n slug: eastsideco\\n - path: /images/businesses/empist.svg\\n alt: \"Empist\"\\n slug: lumia\\n - path: /images/businesses/lumia.svg\\n alt: \"Lumia\"\\n slug: lumia\\n - path: /images/businesses/nCrowd.svg\\n alt: \"nCrowd\"\\n slug: dealster\\n - path: /images/businesses/dealster.svg\\n alt: \"Dealster\"\\n slug: dealster\\n - path: /images/businesses/chitownDeals.svg\\n alt: \"Chitown Deals\"\\n slug: chitown-deals\\nsubtitle: \"Real ventures. 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Around the globe.\"\\ntitle: \"Trusted by Top Brands\"\\n---\\n::\\n\\n::bento-plain\\n---\\nsocialMenu: true\\nbreadcrumbTitle: \"About me\"\\ntext: \"— father, husband, entrepreneur, and operator. I’ve spent the last two\\n decades building, scaling, and selling companies across the digital landscape.\\n From founding startups to leading enterprise growth, my journey is defined by\\n resilience, curiosity, and a relentless focus on creating value for employees, brands,\\n and partners.\"\\ntitle: \"I’m Alen Malkoč\"\\ndataArray:\\n - title: \"The Future is Now\"\\n subtitle: \"AI is not optional\"\\n text: \"AI is reshaping how we live, work, and build. The future belongs to those who move fast, stay curious, and lead with purpose.\"\\n url: \"/current-focus\"\\n - title: \"Professional Journey\"\\n subtitle: \"Built from the ground up\"\\n text: \"From coding in high school to scaling SaaS startups, I’ve lived the founder journey and successfully supported some of the bigger names in ecommerce such as HulkApps, Shop Circle, & Praella.\"\\n url: \"/ventures\"\\n - title: \"Personal Identity\"\\n subtitle: \"Rooted in values\"\\n text: \"I’m a dad, husband, and family-first person who’s always looking to help, grow, and bring positive energy to others.\"\\n url: \"/building-culture\"\\n---\\n::\\n\\n::articles\\n---\\nformText: \"Get weekly insights on AI, SEO, and Growth Marketing delivered to your inbox. No spam, just the good stuff.\"\\nformTitle: \"Subscribe for Weekly Insights\"\\nsubtitle: \"Ideas & Lessons from the frontlines\"\\ntitle: \"Insights & Stories\"\\n---\\n::\\n",{"title":316,"description":380},"en/index","Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur behind HulkApps, Praella, and Shop Circle, now building AI-native companies from Sarajevo. Over the past decade, I’ve built, scaled, and sold businesses across ecommerce, SaaS, and AI — all with a bias toward speed, product excellence, and real-world value. From launching HulkApps and serving 100,000+ merchants, to leading the post-acquisition growth of Shop Circle, our journey has been defined by bold execution and building the right teams. Today, we’re focused on going fully AI-native — launching ventures like FlyRank and 10x, and evolving service teams like Praella and Power Commerce into AI-driven delivery engines. Our mission is simple - to help brands, teams, and platforms do 10x more — faster, smarter, and more efficiently — by leveraging automation, insight, and thoughtful design. Thanks for following the journey. Let’s build what’s next. See you around.","RETjz_zEc6v-qxLU894PpgV7sQgZgRjlFRz8mDZQhvU",{"id":392,"title":393,"body":394,"description":398,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":399,"navigation":400,"path":402,"rawbody":403,"seo":404,"stem":405,"summary":398,"tts":228,"__hash__":406},"pages/en/insights.md","Insights",{"type":10,"value":395,"toc":396},[],{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":397},[],"Meta Description",{},{"title":393,"visible":228,"order":217,"type":401},"blog","/en/insights","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Insights\"\\ndescription: \"Meta Description\"\\nsummary: \"Meta Description\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"Insights\"\\n visible: true\\n order: 2\\n type: blog\\n---\\n",{"title":393,"description":398},"en/insights","jVV2xPWajj5q8jJcegm3uRg5YMcNubKUcPlZO_50qhM",{"id":408,"title":409,"body":410,"description":636,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":637,"navigation":638,"path":639,"rawbody":640,"seo":641,"stem":642,"summary":636,"tts":228,"__hash__":643},"pages/en/privacy-policy.md","Privacy Policy",{"type":10,"value":411,"toc":624},[412],[13,413,414,418,423,426,429,431,435,438,458,460,464,467,484,486,490,497,517,519,523,526,537,540,542,546,549,551,555,558,560,564,567,581,591,593,597,600,602,606,609,611,615],{"breadcrumbTitle":409},[415,416,409],"h1",{"id":417},"privacy-policy",[16,419,420],{},[82,421,422],{},"Last updated: June 19, 2025",[16,424,425],{},"AlenMalkoc.com (“Site”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, and your rights with respect to that information.",[16,427,428],{},"If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.",[86,430],{},[91,432,434],{"id":433},"_1-information-we-collect","1. Information We Collect",[16,436,437],{},"We may collect the following categories of personal information:",[265,439,440,446,452],{},[268,441,442,445],{},[19,443,444],{},"Personal Data",": Name, email address, or other contact information voluntarily submitted via forms (e.g., newsletter signups, contact forms).",[268,447,448,451],{},[19,449,450],{},"Usage Data",": Pages visited, referring URLs, browser type, IP address, device identifiers, and other diagnostic data through cookies or analytics.",[268,453,454,457],{},[19,455,456],{},"Communications",": Any messages or information you send directly to us (e.g., via email or contact forms).",[86,459],{},[91,461,463],{"id":462},"_2-how-we-use-your-information","2. How We Use Your Information",[16,465,466],{},"We may use your information to:",[265,468,469,472,475,478,481],{},[268,470,471],{},"Respond to inquiries or messages",[268,473,474],{},"Send newsletters or updates you’ve opted into",[268,476,477],{},"Improve our website and content offerings",[268,479,480],{},"Monitor site usage and performance (via analytics tools)",[268,482,483],{},"Comply with legal obligations",[86,485],{},[91,487,489],{"id":488},"_3-sharing-of-information","3. Sharing of Information",[16,491,492,493,496],{},"We ",[19,494,495],{},"do not sell or rent"," your personal data. We may share limited information with:",[265,498,499,505,511],{},[268,500,501,504],{},[19,502,503],{},"Service providers"," (e.g., analytics platforms like Google Analytics)",[268,506,507,510],{},[19,508,509],{},"Legal authorities"," if required by law or to protect rights",[268,512,513,516],{},[19,514,515],{},"Third-party tools"," used for communication or email delivery (e.g., email marketing platforms)",[86,518],{},[91,520,522],{"id":521},"_4-cookies-tracking-technologies","4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies",[16,524,525],{},"We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. These may include:",[265,527,528,531,534],{},[268,529,530],{},"Session cookies (temporary)",[268,532,533],{},"Analytics cookies (to measure traffic and usage)",[268,535,536],{},"Functionality cookies (to remember preferences)",[16,538,539],{},"You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.",[86,541],{},[91,543,545],{"id":544},"_5-third-party-links","5. Third-Party Links",[16,547,548],{},"Our site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.",[86,550],{},[91,552,554],{"id":553},"_6-data-retention","6. Data Retention",[16,556,557],{},"We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined above, or to comply with legal obligations.",[86,559],{},[91,561,563],{"id":562},"_7-your-rights","7. Your Rights",[16,565,566],{},"Depending on your location, you may have rights to:",[265,568,569,572,575,578],{},[268,570,571],{},"Access your data",[268,573,574],{},"Request correction or deletion",[268,576,577],{},"Withdraw consent to communications",[268,579,580],{},"File a complaint with a supervisory authority",[16,582,583,584],{},"To exercise your rights, please contact us at: ",[19,585,586,587,590],{},"email ",[341,588,589],{},"at"," alen.works",[86,592],{},[91,594,596],{"id":595},"_8-childrens-privacy","8. Children’s Privacy",[16,598,599],{},"Our site is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under this age.",[86,601],{},[91,603,605],{"id":604},"_9-updates-to-this-policy","9. Updates to This Policy",[16,607,608],{},"We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected with a new “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the site indicates acceptance of the updated policy.",[86,610],{},[91,612,614],{"id":613},"_10-contact","10. Contact",[16,616,617,618,620],{},"For questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact:",[23,619],{},[19,621,586,622,590],{},[341,623,589],{},{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":625},[626,627,628,629,630,631,632,633,634,635],{"id":433,"depth":217,"text":434},{"id":462,"depth":217,"text":463},{"id":488,"depth":217,"text":489},{"id":521,"depth":217,"text":522},{"id":544,"depth":217,"text":545},{"id":553,"depth":217,"text":554},{"id":562,"depth":217,"text":563},{"id":595,"depth":217,"text":596},{"id":604,"depth":217,"text":605},{"id":613,"depth":217,"text":614},"We respect your privacy. AlenMalkoc.com collects minimal data, doesn’t share your information, and uses basic tools like cookies for analytics and site improvement.",{},{"title":409,"visible":384,"order":307},"/en/privacy-policy","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Privacy Policy\"\\ndescription: \"We respect your privacy. AlenMalkoc.com collects minimal data, doesn’t share your information, and uses basic tools like cookies for analytics and site improvement.\"\\nsummary: \"We respect your privacy. AlenMalkoc.com collects minimal data, doesn’t share your information, and uses basic tools like cookies for analytics and site improvement.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"Privacy Policy\"\\n visible: false\\n order: 0\\n---\\n\\n::content\\n---\\nbreadcrumbTitle: Privacy Policy\\n---\\n\\n# Privacy Policy\\n_Last updated: June 19, 2025_\\n\\nAlenMalkoc.com (“Site”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, and your rights with respect to that information.\\n\\nIf you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 1. Information We Collect\\n\\nWe may collect the following categories of personal information:\\n\\n- **Personal Data**: Name, email address, or other contact information voluntarily submitted via forms (e.g., newsletter signups, contact forms).\\n- **Usage Data**: Pages visited, referring URLs, browser type, IP address, device identifiers, and other diagnostic data through cookies or analytics.\\n- **Communications**: Any messages or information you send directly to us (e.g., via email or contact forms).\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 2. How We Use Your Information\\n\\nWe may use your information to:\\n\\n- Respond to inquiries or messages\\n- Send newsletters or updates you’ve opted into\\n- Improve our website and content offerings\\n- Monitor site usage and performance (via analytics tools)\\n- Comply with legal obligations\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 3. Sharing of Information\\n\\nWe **do not sell or rent** your personal data. We may share limited information with:\\n\\n- **Service providers** (e.g., analytics platforms like Google Analytics)\\n- **Legal authorities** if required by law or to protect rights\\n- **Third-party tools** used for communication or email delivery (e.g., email marketing platforms)\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies\\n\\nWe use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. These may include:\\n\\n- Session cookies (temporary)\\n- Analytics cookies (to measure traffic and usage)\\n- Functionality cookies (to remember preferences)\\n\\nYou can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 5. Third-Party Links\\n\\nOur site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 6. Data Retention\\n\\nWe retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined above, or to comply with legal obligations.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 7. Your Rights\\n\\nDepending on your location, you may have rights to:\\n\\n- Access your data\\n- Request correction or deletion\\n- Withdraw consent to communications\\n- File a complaint with a supervisory authority\\n\\nTo exercise your rights, please contact us at: **email [at] alen.works**\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 8. Children’s Privacy\\n\\nOur site is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under this age.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 9. Updates to This Policy\\n\\nWe may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected with a new “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the site indicates acceptance of the updated policy.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 10. Contact\\n\\nFor questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact: \\n**email [at] alen.works**",{"title":409,"description":636},"en/privacy-policy","nNEBNw8aE4sdzXRa634ASigVEbzyMTDSjoBMEn5_-9M",{"id":645,"title":646,"body":647,"description":771,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":772,"navigation":773,"path":774,"rawbody":775,"seo":776,"stem":777,"summary":771,"tts":228,"__hash__":778},"pages/en/terms-of-use.md","Terms of use",{"type":10,"value":648,"toc":759},[649],[13,650,651,655,659,662,664,668,671,673,677,680,682,686,689,692,694,698,701,703,707,710,712,716,719,721,725,728,730,734,737,739,743,746,748,750],{"breadcrumbTitle":646},[415,652,654],{"id":653},"terms-of-use","Terms of Use",[16,656,657],{},[82,658,422],{},[16,660,661],{},"Welcome to AlenMalkoc.com (the “Site”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and all applicable laws. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.",[86,663],{},[91,665,667],{"id":666},"_1-use-of-site","1. Use of Site",[16,669,670],{},"You agree to use this Site for lawful purposes only and in a way that does not infringe on the rights of others, restrict or inhibit anyone else’s use of the Site, or violate any laws.",[86,672],{},[91,674,676],{"id":675},"_2-intellectual-property","2. Intellectual Property",[16,678,679],{},"Unless otherwise stated, all content on this Site — including text, graphics, logos, and media — is the intellectual property of Alen Malkoč or used with permission. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification is strictly prohibited.",[86,681],{},[91,683,685],{"id":684},"_3-content-disclaimer","3. Content Disclaimer",[16,687,688],{},"The views, insights, and commentary shared on this Site are based on personal experience and professional opinion. They do not constitute business, legal, or financial advice.",[16,690,691],{},"AI-generated content may be used on this Site, often assisted or reviewed by a human. We aim for accuracy but do not guarantee that all content is error-free or up to date.",[86,693],{},[91,695,697],{"id":696},"_4-external-links","4. External Links",[16,699,700],{},"The Site may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. We are not responsible for the content or practices of any third-party sites.",[86,702],{},[91,704,706],{"id":705},"_5-user-submissions","5. User Submissions",[16,708,709],{},"If you submit comments, messages, or any other content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display that content. We reserve the right to remove submissions that are inappropriate or violate these Terms.",[86,711],{},[91,713,715],{"id":714},"_6-limitation-of-liability","6. Limitation of Liability",[16,717,718],{},"This Site is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. We are not liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from your use of the Site.",[86,720],{},[91,722,724],{"id":723},"_7-indemnification","7. Indemnification",[16,726,727],{},"You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AlenMalkoc.com and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising out of your use of the Site or violation of these Terms.",[86,729],{},[91,731,733],{"id":732},"_8-changes-to-terms","8. Changes to Terms",[16,735,736],{},"We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Site constitutes your acceptance of any revised Terms.",[86,738],{},[91,740,742],{"id":741},"_9-governing-law","9. Governing Law",[16,744,745],{},"These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.",[86,747],{},[91,749,614],{"id":613},[16,751,752,753,755],{},"For questions or concerns about these Terms of Use, please contact:",[23,754],{},[19,756,586,757,590],{},[341,758,589],{},{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":760},[761,762,763,764,765,766,767,768,769,770],{"id":666,"depth":217,"text":667},{"id":675,"depth":217,"text":676},{"id":684,"depth":217,"text":685},{"id":696,"depth":217,"text":697},{"id":705,"depth":217,"text":706},{"id":714,"depth":217,"text":715},{"id":723,"depth":217,"text":724},{"id":732,"depth":217,"text":733},{"id":741,"depth":217,"text":742},{"id":613,"depth":217,"text":614},"By using AlenMalkoc.com, you agree to respect the content, understand it’s for informational purposes only, and acknowledge that terms may change over time. Use responsibly.",{},{"title":646,"visible":384,"order":307},"/en/terms-of-use","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Terms of use\"\\ndescription: \"By using AlenMalkoc.com, you agree to respect the content, understand it’s for informational purposes only, and acknowledge that terms may change over time. Use responsibly.\"\\nsummary: \"By using AlenMalkoc.com, you agree to respect the content, understand it’s for informational purposes only, and acknowledge that terms may change over time. Use responsibly.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"Terms of use\"\\n visible: false\\n order: 0\\n---\\n\\n::content\\n---\\nbreadcrumbTitle: Terms of use\\n---\\n\\n# Terms of Use\\n_Last updated: June 19, 2025_\\n\\nWelcome to AlenMalkoc.com (the “Site”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and all applicable laws. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 1. Use of Site\\n\\nYou agree to use this Site for lawful purposes only and in a way that does not infringe on the rights of others, restrict or inhibit anyone else’s use of the Site, or violate any laws.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 2. Intellectual Property\\n\\nUnless otherwise stated, all content on this Site — including text, graphics, logos, and media — is the intellectual property of Alen Malkoč or used with permission. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification is strictly prohibited.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 3. Content Disclaimer\\n\\nThe views, insights, and commentary shared on this Site are based on personal experience and professional opinion. They do not constitute business, legal, or financial advice.\\n\\nAI-generated content may be used on this Site, often assisted or reviewed by a human. We aim for accuracy but do not guarantee that all content is error-free or up to date.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 4. External Links\\n\\nThe Site may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. We are not responsible for the content or practices of any third-party sites.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 5. User Submissions\\n\\nIf you submit comments, messages, or any other content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display that content. We reserve the right to remove submissions that are inappropriate or violate these Terms.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 6. Limitation of Liability\\n\\nThis Site is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. We are not liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from your use of the Site.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 7. Indemnification\\n\\nYou agree to indemnify and hold harmless AlenMalkoc.com and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising out of your use of the Site or violation of these Terms.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 8. Changes to Terms\\n\\nWe may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Site constitutes your acceptance of any revised Terms.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 9. Governing Law\\n\\nThese Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 10. Contact\\n\\nFor questions or concerns about these Terms of Use, please contact: \\n**email [at] alen.works**",{"title":646,"description":771},"en/terms-of-use","DGaULUJP28ddDItcBeCdUmQHLTGgb6Y1j1j0IkqTZ3o",{"id":780,"title":781,"body":782,"description":380,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":2096,"navigation":2097,"path":2099,"rawbody":2100,"seo":2101,"stem":2102,"summary":2103,"tts":228,"__hash__":2104},"pages/en/ventures.md","My Current and Past Ventures",{"type":10,"value":783,"toc":2073},[784],[785,786,789,810,814,819,825,832,840,843,853,859,862,865,868,874,876,880,883,888,895,898,901,915,918,924,927,935,942,964,967,969,972,976,981,992,1023,1026,1036,1062,1065,1074,1076,1079,1082,1087,1098,1105,1110,1125,1128,1134,1136,1139,1143,1148,1151,1154,1160,1163,1200,1215,1227,1229,1233,1247,1250,1261,1268,1270,1274,1277,1283,1285,1289,1292,1295,1300,1302,1305,1307,1312,1315,1318,1385,1392,1395,1398,1407,1409,1412,1416,1421,1424,1437,1448,1459,1462,1469,1471,1474,1478,1483,1502,1517,1533,1535,1538,1542,1547,1554,1565,1576,1578,1581,1585,1590,1600,1613,1624,1631,1633,1636,1640,1645,1663,1679,1686,1688,1691,1695,1700,1712,1719,1735,1742,1744,1747,1750,1755,1760,1767,1780,1783,1785,1788,1792,1797,1804,1821,1832,1848,1861,1864,1868,1873,1876,1879,1882,1885,1905,1910,1913,1933,1935,1938,1942,1947,1953,1960,1967,1989,2004,2018,2021,2023,2026,2030,2035,2038,2049,2064,2071],"logos-list-plain",{"subtitle":787,"title":788},"From agency roots to AI-native — this is the journey.","Current & Past Ventures",[16,790,791,792,801,802,809],{},"Below is my journey across various ventures, brands, and projects. Some recent press includes coverage from ",[793,794,798],"a",{"href":795,"rel":796},"https://balkans.aljazeera.net/teme/2023/8/20/povratak-uspjesnog-poduzetnika-u-bih-naporan-rad-je-osnova-svega",[797],"nofollow",[19,799,800],{},"Al Jazeera"," and ",[793,803,806],{"href":804,"rel":805},"https://ba.bloombergadria.com/biznis/kompanije/59837/hulkapps-inovacija-talenti-i-ai-u-odrzivoj-buducnosti-it-a/news",[797],[19,807,808],{},"Bloomberg Adria",".",[91,811,813],{"id":812},"_10x","10x",[16,815,816],{},[82,817,818],{},"Native AI. Real Leverage. Exponential Impact.",[16,820,821,822,809],{},"10x is our commitment to building the future — not around AI, but ",[19,823,824],{},"with it at the core",[16,826,827,828,831],{},"We’re going fully native AI. That means creating tools, systems, and services designed from the ground up to help people achieve ",[19,829,830],{},"10x outcomes"," — in less time, with fewer resources, and with more clarity. This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about scale, leverage, and transformation.",[16,833,834,835,837],{},"At the center of 10x is our methodology:",[23,836],{},[19,838,839],{},"Enable teams and customers to accomplish 10x more — using the same effort — through the power of AI.",[16,841,842],{},"FlyRank is the first product to emerge from this ecosystem — a full-stack AI growth engine for content, SEO, and AEO. But it’s just the beginning.",[16,844,845,846,801,849,852],{},"We're actively evolving our two agencies — ",[19,847,848],{},"Power Commerce",[19,850,851],{},"Praella"," — into next-gen delivery engines. As part of the 10x ecosystem, they are launching a new vertical:",[96,854,856],{"id":855},"ai-implementation-services",[19,857,858],{},"AI Implementation & Services",[16,860,861],{},"Helping brands apply AI across product, marketing, CX, and operations — to 10x their performance, process, and potential.",[16,863,864],{},"From software to strategy, we're building a suite of tools and services that redefine what teams can do — and how fast they can do it.",[16,866,867],{},"This is more than a pivot. It’s a full-stack evolution toward the future of work.",[16,869,870,871],{},"🚀 ",[341,872,873],{},"10x: Coming Soon",[86,875],{},[877,878],"div",{"id":879},"flyrank",[91,881,882],{"id":879},"FlyRank",[16,884,885],{},[82,886,887],{},"The AI Growth Engine for Content, SEO, and AEO",[16,889,890,891,894],{},"FlyRank is our latest and most ambitious venture — a platform designed to solve the growing complexity of scaling organic growth. We're building the first ",[19,892,893],{},"Enterprise AI Growth Engine"," that enables companies to generate, optimize, and manage content at scale — across SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).",[16,896,897],{},"Over the years, we've seen teams struggle with the same bottlenecks: content velocity, ranking volatility, and the growing gap between strategy and execution. FlyRank closes that gap. It’s not just another AI writer — it’s a full-stack growth engine built for marketing teams, product-led organizations, and founders who want results, not just drafts.",[16,899,900],{},"With AI at the core, FlyRank helps you:",[265,902,903,906,909,912],{},[268,904,905],{},"Generate high-quality, search-optimized content fast",[268,907,908],{},"Monitor rankings and content performance in real time",[268,910,911],{},"Optimize across traditional SEO and emerging answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini",[268,913,914],{},"Scale globally with localized, multilingual output",[16,916,917],{},"We're working closely with early partners and building toward a future where content creation is no longer a bottleneck — but a growth lever.",[16,919,920,921],{},"The goal? ",[19,922,923],{},"10x your organic reach, without 10x the headcount.",[16,925,926],{},"This is more than a tool. It’s a shift in how modern teams grow.",[16,928,929,930],{},"👉 ",[793,931,934],{"href":932,"rel":933},"https://flyrank.com",[797],"FlyRank.com",[16,936,937,938,941],{},"As part of our ongoing innovation, we also operate two experimental products under ",[19,939,940],{},"FlyRank Labs",":",[265,943,944,954],{},[268,945,946,953],{},[793,947,950],{"href":948,"rel":949},"https://jaqnjil.ai",[797],[19,951,952],{},"jaqnjil.ai",": A fast, zero-friction tool for generating bite-sized SEO answers in a single click.",[268,955,956,963],{},[793,957,960],{"href":958,"rel":959},"https://saasinsights.co",[797],[19,961,962],{},"saasinsights.co",": A SaaS intelligence tracker offering real-time visibility into rankings, category movements, and SEO performance.",[16,965,966],{},"These Labs projects let us test bold ideas in the wild — and bring them back into FlyRank’s core engine when they prove valuable.",[86,968],{},[877,970],{"id":971},"powercommerce",[91,973,975],{"id":974},"power-commerce-formerly-wolfpoint-agency","Power Commerce, formerly Wolfpoint Agency",[16,977,978],{},[82,979,980],{},"Enterprise Services. Platform Flexibility. Brand-Centric Execution.",[16,982,983,984,987,988,991],{},"Power Commerce, formerly known as ",[19,985,986],{},"Wolfpoint Agency",", is part of the ",[19,989,990],{},"Praella Agency Group"," — our core ecommerce solutions powerhouse.",[16,993,994,995,998,999,1002,1003,1006,1007,1006,1010,1006,1013,1006,1016,1006,1019,1022],{},"Established in 2016 as a certified ",[19,996,997],{},"Shopify Plus Partner",", Wolfpoint quickly grew into one of the top-performing agencies in the ecosystem. As a ",[19,1000,1001],{},"Recharge Elite Partner",", we’ve worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands — including ",[19,1004,1005],{},"Condé Nast",", ",[19,1008,1009],{},"Natura Brasil",[19,1011,1012],{},"Tula Skincare",[19,1014,1015],{},"Dr. Squatch",[19,1017,1018],{},"Martha Stewart",[19,1020,1021],{},"Ghost",", and many more.",[16,1024,1025],{},"As the ecommerce landscape evolved, so did we.",[16,1027,1028,1029,1035],{},"We rebranded Wolfpoint into ",[793,1030,1033],{"href":1031,"target":1032},"https://powercommerce.com","_blank",[19,1034,848],{}," to better reflect our broader vision: delivering solutions that go beyond Shopify. Today, Power Commerce focuses on helping brands thrive across a variety of platforms and ecosystems — including:",[265,1037,1038,1044,1050,1056],{},[268,1039,1040,1043],{},[19,1041,1042],{},"Content Management Systems"," like WordPress, Webflow, and Headless CMS",[268,1045,1046,1049],{},[19,1047,1048],{},"Global eCommerce Platforms"," such as Shopline and Shoplazza",[268,1051,1052,1055],{},[19,1053,1054],{},"Enterprise Suites"," like Adobe Experience Manager",[268,1057,1058,1061],{},[19,1059,1060],{},"Custom Solutions"," tailored to unique business needs",[16,1063,1064],{},"With Power Commerce, we help brands scale with agility — whether they’re building on Shopify or moving beyond it. We bring deep technical experience, creative execution, and a platform-agnostic mindset to every challenge.",[16,1066,1067,1068,1070,1071],{},"We don’t just build. We power commerce.",[23,1069],{},"\n🔗 ",[793,1072,1073],{"href":1031,"target":1032},"Visit powercommerce.co",[86,1075],{},[877,1077],{"id":1078},"shop-circle",[91,1080,1081],{"id":1078},"Shop Circle",[16,1083,1084],{},[82,1085,1086],{},"Scaling the World’s Most Complete Shopify App Stack",[16,1088,1089,1090,1093,1094,1097],{},"After founding and scaling ",[19,1091,1092],{},"HulkApps",", we joined Shop Circle following the acquisition to help ",[19,1095,1096],{},"define and expand the portfolio",". Over two years, we helped grow the company from a suite of acquired products into a 50+ app ecosystem, serving merchants around the world.",[16,1099,1100,1101,1104],{},"My responsibilities spanned ",[19,1102,1103],{},"product, operations, tech, marketing, and M&A"," — with a focus on integrating and scaling post-acquisition apps. We directly led or supported the acquisitions of 10+ Shopify Apps, including:",[16,1106,1107],{},[19,1108,1109],{},"Eastside, Accentuate, Wholesale Helper, Aiden, 506, Bold, CartHook, Rush, Releasit, Forsberg+2",[16,1111,1112,1113,1116,1117,1120,1121,1124],{},"I personally hired and managed ",[19,1114,1115],{},"180+ people",", built out ",[19,1118,1119],{},"new divisions",", and introduced an ",[19,1122,1123],{},"AI-first roadmap"," that embedded automation, performance tracking, and competitor intelligence into product and growth workflows.",[16,1126,1127],{},"We’re incredibly proud of what Shop Circle became — and how Sarajevo grew into its HQ and innovation hub.",[16,1129,1130],{},[103,1131],{"alt":1132,"src":1133},"My amazing HulkApps Team","/images/gallery/image_6431acd7_74a2_4267_bd53_4527b762d5d1_f5320c1233.webp",[86,1135],{},[877,1137],{"id":1138},"hulk-apps",[91,1140,1142],{"id":1141},"hulkapps-acquired-by-shop-circle","HulkApps, acquired by Shop Circle",[16,1144,1145],{},[82,1146,1147],{},"From Frustration to Flagship — The Journey That Changed Everything",[16,1149,1150],{},"HulkApps is where everything truly clicked.",[16,1152,1153],{},"We founded HulkApps after leaving Empist (formerly Digerati Group), driven by a deep frustration with bureaucracy and stagnation. We didn’t want to ask for permission to grow — we wanted to build. And build we did.",[16,1155,1156,1157,809],{},"What started as a small, scrappy operation quickly evolved into ",[19,1158,1159],{},"one of the largest independent Shopify app and service providers in the world",[16,1161,1162],{},"We grew HulkApps into:",[265,1164,1165,1177,1184,1190],{},[268,1166,1167,1006,1170,1173,1174],{},[19,1168,1169],{},"20+ apps",[19,1171,1172],{},"11 Shopify themes",", and ",[19,1175,1176],{},"100,000+ merchants served",[268,1178,1179,1180,1183],{},"Over ",[19,1181,1182],{},"300 million consumer interactions"," powered through our merchants",[268,1185,1186,1187],{},"An infrastructure capable of handling ",[19,1188,1189],{},"1.3 billion+ requests",[268,1191,1192,1193,1196,1197],{},"A globally distributed team with headquarters in ",[19,1194,1195],{},"Sarajevo",", later home to ",[19,1198,1199],{},"135+ employees",[16,1201,1202,1203,1206,1207,1210,1211,1214],{},"Our growth defied conventional agency logic. Instead of focusing narrowly on one offering, we embraced the full Shopify merchant lifecycle — from ",[19,1204,1205],{},"theme development"," to ",[19,1208,1209],{},"custom services",", and eventually, ",[19,1212,1213],{},"apps at scale",". We scaled responsibly across each channel, with strong internal teams and strategic leadership.",[1216,1217,1218],"blockquote",{},[16,1219,1220,1221,1070,1223],{},"📝 Read more about our approach:",[23,1222],{},[793,1224,1226],{"href":1225,"target":1032},"https://www.hulkapps.com/blogs/topics/how-hulkapps-expanded-their-business-with-shopify-service-offerings","How HulkApps Expanded Their Business with Shopify Service Offerings",[86,1228],{},[211,1230,1232],{"id":1231},"acquisition-a-new-chapter","Acquisition & A New Chapter",[16,1234,1235,1236,1239,1240,1242,1243,1246],{},"In ",[19,1237,1238],{},"September 2022",", HulkApps was acquired by ",[19,1241,1081],{},", and became its ",[19,1244,1245],{},"flagship acquisition"," — forming the cultural and operational blueprint that helped shape what Shop Circle is today.",[16,1248,1249],{},"We joined forces to scale faster, build smarter, and tap into a broader ecosystem of tools and talent. And more importantly, we stayed true to our mission: helping ecommerce merchants create unforgettable customer experiences, drive loyalty, and grow their brands.",[1216,1251,1252],{},[16,1253,1254,1255,1070,1257],{},"📰 Read the official announcement:",[23,1256],{},[793,1258,1260],{"href":1259,"target":1032},"https://www.hulkapps.com/blogs/hulksharenews/a-new-chapter-for-hulkapps","A New Chapter for HulkApps",[1262,1263],"images-bento",{"image1":1264,"image2":1265,"image3":1266,"image4":1267},"/images/gallery/62258_heer2008_f_1_f7e93049e5.JPG","/images/gallery/62257_jay_2771_orig_8447bc3e16.JPG","/images/gallery/62260_heer0496_orig_d7d86cec90.JPG","/images/gallery/Alen_Photo_01_1691941781_1_9b1832a7cd.webp",[86,1269],{},[211,1271,1273],{"id":1272},"people-first-always","People First, Always",[16,1275,1276],{},"None of this would have been possible without the people who poured their energy, heart, and hustle into HulkApps. We’re especially thankful for:",[16,1278,1279,1282],{},[19,1280,1281],{},"Amer Grozdanic, Chirag Desai, Gini Bandheri, Niraj Delvadia, Keval Kankotiya, Bhavya Bhavsar, Shruti Shah",", and many, many more — each of whom helped HulkApps become more than just a company. They helped shape a culture of execution, ownership, and unmatched resilience.",[86,1284],{},[211,1286,1288],{"id":1287},"legacy","Legacy",[16,1290,1291],{},"HulkApps remains one of the most important building blocks in our journey. It was proof that bold bets, clear vision, and relentless action can change not only your business — but an entire ecosystem.",[16,1293,1294],{},"From themes to services to apps, and from startup grit to global scale — HulkApps became more than we ever imagined. And it’s still growing.",[16,1296,1297],{},[82,1298,1299],{},"We’re proud of what we built. Even more proud of who we built it with.",[86,1301],{},[877,1303],{"id":1304},"praella",[91,1306,851],{"id":1304},[16,1308,1309],{},[82,1310,1311],{},"Elite Strategy. Award-Winning Execution. People-First Culture.",[16,1313,1314],{},"Praella is our flagship agency — where creativity, engineering, and performance intersect. We specialize in building high-performing ecommerce experiences for the world’s most ambitious brands.",[16,1316,1317],{},"As a recognized leader in the space, we’re proud to hold several key distinctions:",[265,1319,1320,1330,1345,1355,1378],{},[268,1321,1322,1323,1326,1327],{},"✅ ",[19,1324,1325],{},"Shopify Elite Partner"," — placing us among the ",[19,1328,1329],{},"top 1% of Shopify agencies globally",[268,1331,1332,1333,1336,1337,1344],{},"🏆 ",[19,1334,1335],{},"Webby Award Winner"," — for our work on ",[793,1338,1341],{"href":1339,"rel":1340},"https://winners.webbyawards.com/2022/websites-and-mobile-sites/features-design/best-homepage/215651/billie-eilish-fragrances",[797],[19,1342,1343],{},"Billie Eilish Fragrances"," (Best Homepage Design – 2022)",[268,1346,1347,1348,1351,1352],{},"🏅 ",[19,1349,1350],{},"Webby Award Nominee"," — for ",[19,1353,1354],{},"Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs",[268,1356,1357,1358,1361,1362,1006,1366,1006,1370,1173,1374],{},"💼 ",[19,1359,1360],{},"Elite Partner"," of ",[793,1363,1365],{"href":1364,"target":1032},"https://shopify.com","Shopify",[793,1367,1369],{"href":1368,"target":1032},"https://rechargepayments.com","Recharge",[793,1371,1373],{"href":1372,"target":1032},"https://www.gorgias.com","Gorgias",[793,1375,1377],{"href":1376,"target":1032},"https://www.klaviyo.com","Klaviyo",[268,1379,1380,1381,1384],{},"🌱 ",[19,1382,1383],{},"Certified Great Place to Work"," — reflecting our commitment to culture and employee satisfaction",[16,1386,1387,1388,1391],{},"Praella is also a continuation of our core founding team — ",[19,1389,1390],{},"Alen, Amer, Chirag, Niraj, and Keval"," — the same group behind HulkApps. With deep experience, shared trust, and a decade-long partnership, we've carried forward our culture of execution, curiosity, and excellence into every project at Praella.",[16,1393,1394],{},"At Praella, we don’t just deliver. We co-create with clients — bringing design precision, technical depth, and growth strategy to every project. From Shopify Plus builds to retention systems, we help brands scale with confidence.",[16,1396,1397],{},"We believe award-winning work starts with a culture that puts people first — both internally and with the partners we serve.",[16,1399,1400,1070,1403],{},[103,1401],{"alt":851,"src":1402},"/images/gallery/Banner_3_Transparent_8b0a3fadd4.png",[793,1404,1406],{"href":1405,"target":1032},"https://praella.com","Visit praella.com",[86,1408],{},[877,1410],{"id":1411},"cart-hook",[91,1413,1415],{"id":1414},"carthook-a-shop-circle-acquisition","CartHook, a Shop Circle acquisition",[16,1417,1418],{},[82,1419,1420],{},"Rebuilt. Repositioned. Revived.",[16,1422,1423],{},"CartHook was the original post-purchase offer app for Shopify and Recharge — the one that started it all. But over time, the product lost momentum and market share, ultimately becoming a distressed asset with significant untapped potential.",[16,1425,1426,1427,1006,1430,1173,1433,1436],{},"During our time at Shop Circle, we led the ",[19,1428,1429],{},"due diligence",[19,1431,1432],{},"acquisition",[19,1434,1435],{},"strategic repositioning"," of CartHook. Within a few months, the app was stabilized, re-engineered, and transformed into a profitable product once again — fully integrated into the Shop Circle portfolio.",[16,1438,1439,1440,1443,1444,1447],{},"A key part of that turnaround was the hustle and leadership of people like ",[19,1441,1442],{},"Tarik \"Sela\" Selimović"," (Product Owner) and ",[19,1445,1446],{},"Adel Rovčanin"," (Marketing Manager), who played instrumental roles in rebuilding trust with users and repositioning CartHook as a serious competitor in the post-purchase space — going head-to-head with tools like AfterSell.",[16,1449,1450,1451,1454,1455,1458],{},"Notably, CartHook also became one of the ",[19,1452,1453],{},"first apps to receive Shopify’s Built for Shopify badge"," — a milestone that speaks to the quality, performance, and trust the team worked hard to deliver. Major kudos to ",[19,1456,1457],{},"Tarik and the rest of the team"," for pushing the product to that level.",[16,1460,1461],{},"CartHook continues to operate under the Shop Circle umbrella, serving merchants who want to maximize checkout revenue and optimize post-purchase workflows.",[16,1463,1464,1465],{},"🔗 ",[793,1466,1468],{"href":1467,"target":1032},"https://carthook.com","Visit carthook.com",[86,1470],{},[877,1472],{"id":1473},"releasit",[91,1475,1477],{"id":1476},"releasit-a-shop-circle-acquisition","Releasit, a Shop Circle acquisition",[16,1479,1480],{},[82,1481,1482],{},"Enabling Cash-on-Delivery Growth Across LATAM & Asia",[16,1484,1485,1486,1489,1490,1006,1492,1173,1494,1497,1498,1501],{},"Releasit was a powerful post-purchase solution focused on enabling ",[19,1487,1488],{},"Cash on Delivery (COD)"," workflows for merchants across LATAM and Asia. We led the ",[19,1491,1429],{},[19,1493,1432],{},[19,1495,1496],{},"strategic transition"," — which notably included replacing the founder, ",[19,1499,1500],{},"Gabriele",", within just 6 months, with no disruption to the business. That transition remains one of our proudest operational milestones.",[16,1503,1504,1505,1508,1509,1512,1513,1516],{},"We scaled Releasit into one of ",[19,1506,1507],{},"Shop Circle’s flagship products",", growing the team by 25+ people and doubling revenue ",[19,1510,1511],{},"year-over-year",". We also launched a new ",[19,1514,1515],{},"support and partnerships division in Colombia",", giving us a critical strategic presence in LATAM.",[16,1518,1519,1520,1006,1523,1006,1526,1173,1529,1532],{},"More importantly, we enabled a strong new generation of team leaders who continue the mission today — including ",[19,1521,1522],{},"Edin Lindov",[19,1524,1525],{},"Muhamed Musa",[19,1527,1528],{},"Mehmed \"Mesa\" Duranovic",[19,1530,1531],{},"Kenneth Montoya",", among many others.",[86,1534],{},[877,1536],{"id":1537},"accentuate",[91,1539,1541],{"id":1540},"accentuate-a-shop-circle-acquisition","Accentuate, a Shop Circle acquisition",[16,1543,1544],{},[82,1545,1546],{},"From Danish Roots to Global Scale",[16,1548,1549,1550,1553],{},"Accentuate was acquired by Shop Circle in 2023 from ",[19,1551,1552],{},"Ole Thorup",", a Danish entrepreneur who built one of Shopify’s most loved field management tools.",[16,1555,1556,1557,1560,1561,1564],{},"We were tasked with ",[19,1558,1559],{},"rebuilding the full team"," — including support, product, and development — and managing a series of ",[19,1562,1563],{},"critical infrastructure migrations",". The transition was completed in just 6 months.",[16,1566,1567,1568,1571,1572,1575],{},"Led by ",[19,1569,1570],{},"Haris \"Hole\" Hodžić",", who continues to serve as ",[19,1573,1574],{},"General Manager",", Accentuate was successfully integrated and remains one of the most technically robust apps in the portfolio.",[86,1577],{},[877,1579],{"id":1580},"rush",[91,1582,1584],{"id":1583},"rush-a-shop-circle-acquisition","Rush, a Shop Circle acquisition",[16,1586,1587],{},[82,1588,1589],{},"Rebuilt Into a Scalable Post-Purchase Tracking Experience",[16,1591,1592,1593,1596,1597,809],{},"Rush was an ",[19,1594,1595],{},"order status tracking app"," that we acquired and successfully integrated into the ",[19,1598,1599],{},"HulkApps Order Status Tracker (OST)",[16,1601,1602,1603,1006,1605,1608,1609,1612],{},"We led the ",[19,1604,1429],{},[19,1606,1607],{},"strategy",", and hands-on team deployment that helped stabilize and migrate Rush merchants into a ",[19,1610,1611],{},"more reliable, scalable solution"," under the HulkApps brand.",[16,1614,1615,1616,1619,1620,1623],{},"Special thanks to ",[19,1617,1618],{},"Mario Peshev"," (former CEO of Rush) and ",[19,1621,1622],{},"Admir Saheta"," (one of our core developers), who were instrumental in the transition and platform merge.",[16,1625,1626,1627],{},"📰 ",[793,1628,1630],{"href":1629,"target":1032},"https://therecursive.com/bulgarian-e-commerce-startup-rush-acquired-by-shop-circle-for-strategic-integration/","Read the acquisition announcement",[86,1632],{},[877,1634],{"id":1635},"eastsideco",[91,1637,1639],{"id":1638},"eastside-a-shop-circle-acquisition","Eastside, a Shop Circle acquisition",[16,1641,1642],{},[82,1643,1644],{},"Quick Turnaround, Long-Term Growth",[16,1646,1647,1648,1651,1652,801,1655,1658,1659,1662],{},"We worked with ",[19,1649,1650],{},"Jason Stokes"," from Eastside Co to acquire two of their core apps — ",[19,1653,1654],{},"Easy Redirects",[19,1656,1657],{},"Back in Stock"," — marking the ",[19,1660,1661],{},"first post-HulkApps acquisition"," where the HulkApps team took full lead on the transition.",[16,1664,1665,1666,801,1669,1671,1672,801,1675,1678],{},"Big kudos to ",[19,1667,1668],{},"Shailesh Desai",[19,1670,1442],{}," for leading this project from both the product and technical sides. After their transition to other roles, the torch was carried by ",[19,1673,1674],{},"Anes Mehovic",[19,1676,1677],{},"Tarik Lilic",", who continue to drive growth.",[16,1680,1681,1682,1685],{},"Despite a ",[19,1683,1684],{},"tight one-month transition window",", our team executed a full handover, ensuring these apps remained strong contributors to the Shop Circle portfolio.",[86,1687],{},[877,1689],{"id":1690},"bold",[91,1692,1694],{"id":1693},"bold-commerce-a-shop-circle-acquisition","Bold Commerce, a Shop Circle acquisition",[16,1696,1697],{},[82,1698,1699],{},"Complex Transition. Scalable Impact.",[16,1701,1702,1703,1006,1706,1173,1709,809],{},"As part of our acquisition work at Shop Circle, we partnered with Bold Commerce to acquire key products including ",[19,1704,1705],{},"Bold Product Options",[19,1707,1708],{},"Bold Loyalty Points",[19,1710,1711],{},"Bold Store Locator",[16,1713,1714,1715,1718],{},"This was one of our most technically demanding acquisitions, requiring the setup of a ",[19,1716,1717],{},"dedicated support, product, CX, and engineering team"," — largely based in Bosnia.",[16,1720,1721,1722,1006,1725,1006,1728,1173,1731,1734],{},"Shoutout to ",[19,1723,1724],{},"JP Tretault",[19,1726,1727],{},"Harun Fazlagić",[19,1729,1730],{},"Arijana Ibrović",[19,1732,1733],{},"Seid Korać",", along with many others, who helped transition and scale these complex applications.",[16,1736,1737,1738,1741],{},"Today, they remain ",[19,1739,1740],{},"cornerstone apps within the Shop Circle portfolio",", continuing to thrive on the Shopify App Store.",[86,1743],{},[877,1745],{"id":1746},"seapixel",[91,1748,1749],{"id":1746},"Seapixel",[16,1751,1752],{},[82,1753,1754],{},"Small Studio. Sharp Ideas. Special Projects.",[16,1756,1757,1759],{},[19,1758,1749],{}," is a boutique venture studio focused on building technical frameworks and supporting high-impact, special projects behind the scenes.",[16,1761,1762,1763,1766],{},"Founded alongside ",[19,1764,1765],{},"Evan Skoulikaritis"," — a close friend and long-time collaborator — Seapixel has been a creative playground for experimentation, problem-solving, and custom app development. Evan continues to lead custom product initiatives through Seapixel today.",[1216,1768,1769],{},[16,1770,1771,1772,1779],{},"💡 Fun fact: We quietly sold ",[793,1773,1776],{"href":1774,"rel":1775},"https://fluidframework.com",[797],[19,1777,1778],{},"FluidFramework.com"," to Microsoft — a lesser-known, but proud moment in our journey.",[16,1781,1782],{},"Seapixel may be small by design, but its impact is woven into many of the tools, systems, and frameworks we’ve helped bring to life across our portfolio.",[86,1784],{},[877,1786],{"id":1787},"lumia",[91,1789,1791],{"id":1790},"lumia-marketing-agency-acquired-by-empist","Lumia Marketing Agency, acquired by Empist",[16,1793,1794],{},[82,1795,1796],{},"From Email to eCommerce — Built for Growth, Acquired for Impact",[16,1798,1799,1800,1803],{},"After exiting Optyn, we took everything we had learned — from building SaaS platforms to scaling email marketing solutions — and returned to our core mission: helping merchants grow. That’s how ",[19,1801,1802],{},"Lumia"," was born.",[16,1805,1806,1807,1810,1811,1006,1814,1173,1817,1820],{},"We originally launched as an email marketing agency but quickly pivoted to support the rapidly expanding ",[19,1808,1809],{},"Shopify ecosystem",". The timing was right — and so was the focus. We began working with some of the fastest-growing DTC brands like ",[19,1812,1813],{},"MVMT Watches",[19,1815,1816],{},"Argo Tea",[19,1818,1819],{},"Gramovox",", driving results through full-funnel marketing: web, email, social, and beyond.",[16,1822,1823,1824,1827,1828,1831],{},"Lumia evolved into a full-service ",[19,1825,1826],{},"Shopify Web Development and eCommerce Growth Agency",", combining UX, development, and performance marketing into one tight team. We had the privilege of becoming the ",[19,1829,1830],{},"first official Shopify Plus Partner",", supporting some of the most influential brands still thriving on the platform today.",[16,1833,1235,1834,1837,1838,1841,1842,1845,1846,1803],{},[19,1835,1836],{},"2016",", we were ",[19,1839,1840],{},"acquired by Digerati Group",", a digital consultancy that would later rebrand into ",[19,1843,1844],{},"Empist",". The acquisition enabled our team to scale capabilities within a larger ecosystem, while still maintaining our mission of driving meaningful growth for ecommerce brands. I signed a three-year agreement as part of the acquisition — but didn’t last more than one, triggering an early exit clause. The good news? That’s how ",[19,1847,1092],{},[16,1849,1626,1850,1854,1856,1857],{},[793,1851,1853],{"href":1852,"target":1032},"https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/inno/stories/news/2015/09/01/chicago-download-digerati-group-acquires-lumia.html","Chicago Inno: Digerati Group acquires Lumia",[23,1855],{},"\n📰 ",[793,1858,1860],{"href":1859,"target":1032},"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empist-celebrates-25-years-of-growth-innovation-and-service-302478413.html","Empist Celebrates 25 Years",[877,1862],{"id":1863},"optyn",[91,1865,1867],{"id":1866},"optyn-acquired-by-cds","Optyn, acquired by CDS",[16,1869,1870],{},[82,1871,1872],{},"Email Marketing Made Simple for Small Businesses",[16,1874,1875],{},"Optyn was an email and social media marketing platform designed from the ground up for small businesses. At a time when less than 4% of SMBs were using email marketing tools, we saw a massive opportunity: the existing platforms were built for power users — not for the busy local merchant trying to stay afloat. Optyn changed that.",[16,1877,1878],{},"We built a simple, image-based platform that allowed merchants to launch professional campaigns in under two minutes. No blank canvases. No complex tools. Just guided, proven templates that worked — and a product that held your hand the whole way. With a few clicks, a small business could re-engage its entire customer base and see measurable results.",[16,1880,1881],{},"Behind the product was a battle-tested founding team: we had already built and exited Dealer, which sent millions of emails per day to over 10,000 businesses. That experience, combined with insights from running local brick-and-mortar shops ourselves, shaped Optyn’s usability and vision. Together with Louis Morales (COO) and Gaurav Gaglani (CTO), we built the platform and scaled a team of eight developers to deliver it to market.",[16,1883,1884],{},"Optyn didn’t just gain traction with customers — it attracted partners. We launched a white-label strategy with platforms like E Street, giving 1,500+ restaurants the ability to promote offers directly from their dashboards. That distribution-first approach helped us scale and paved the way for what came next.",[16,1886,1235,1887,1890,1891,1894,1895,1897,1898,1902,1904],{},[19,1888,1889],{},"October 2014",", Optyn was ",[19,1892,1893],{},"acquired by Central Data Storage",", marking a successful exit and proving the demand for SMB-first marketing tools.",[23,1896],{},"\n📄 ",[793,1899,1901],{"href":1900,"target":1032},"https://wellfound.com/company/optyn/funding","Raised $309K — view funding history",[23,1903],{},"\n🎥 View our pitch to the gener8tor investor community from Summer 2013",[1906,1907],"lite-youtube",{"alt":1908,"videoId":1909},"Optyn presentation at gener8tor Milwaukee Summer 2013 Launch Day","MGhfUU8IUtw",[16,1911,1912],{},"📰 Acquisition Coverage:",[265,1914,1915,1921,1927],{},[268,1916,1917],{},[793,1918,1920],{"href":1919,"target":1032},"https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2014/12/gener8tor-grad-optyn-acquired.html","Milwaukee Business Journal - gener8tor grad Optyn Acquired",[268,1922,1923],{},[793,1924,1926],{"href":1925,"target":1032},"https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/inno/stories/news/2014/12/12/central-data-storage-acquires-optyn.html","Chicago Inno - Central Data Storage acquires Optyn",[268,1928,1929],{},[793,1930,1932],{"href":1931,"target":1032},"https://www.gmtoday.com/business/gener8tor-company-optyn-acquired/article_73870c97-c51c-52a3-975f-5ffef9802a8d.html","GM Today- gener8tor Company Optyn Acquired",[86,1934],{},[877,1936],{"id":1937},"dealster",[91,1939,1941],{"id":1940},"dealster-acquired-by-ncrowd","Dealster, Acquired by nCrowd",[16,1943,1944],{},[82,1945,1946],{},"Scaling Daily Deals Through Self-Service Technology",[16,1948,1949,1950,809],{},"After the acquisition of Chitown Deals, we had a simple but bold insight: do it again — but do it better. That idea led to the creation of ",[19,1951,1952],{},"Dealster",[16,1954,1955,1956,1959],{},"We acquired the domain for $10,000 — a serious commitment back in 2010 — and launched Dealster with a new approach to local offers. Instead of replicating the Groupon model, we built a ",[19,1957,1958],{},"self-service platform"," that allowed merchants across the U.S. to create, manage, and publish their own deals.",[16,1961,1962,1963,1966],{},"The model worked. ",[19,1964,1965],{},"Dealster quickly scaled to serve customers in over 25,000 cities and towns",", becoming one of the largest daily deal sites in the market at the time.",[16,1968,1969,1970,1973,1974,809,1977,1856,1979,1983,1856,1985],{},"That growth caught the attention of ",[19,1971,1972],{},"Half Off Depot",", which acquired Dealster in ",[19,1975,1976],{},"April 2012",[23,1978],{},[793,1980,1982],{"href":1981,"target":1032},"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/half-off-depot-acquires-dealster-147167005.html","PR Newswire - Half Off Depot acquires Dealster.",[23,1984],{},[793,1986,1988],{"href":1987,"target":1032},"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2012/04/12/half-off-depot-picks-up-dealster.html","Atlanta Business Chronicle - Half Off Depot picks up Dealster",[16,1990,1991,1992,1995,1996,1999,2000,2003],{},"Our entire team joined Half Off Depot, which later rebranded as ",[19,1993,1994],{},"nCrowd"," during a wave of roll-ups in the space. We took the Dealster platform and evolved it into the ",[19,1997,1998],{},"core technology stack behind nCrowd",", helping power thousands of deals and millions in transactions. At its peak, ",[19,2001,2002],{},"nCrowd became the #2 player in the daily deals industry",", right behind Groupon.",[16,2005,2006,2007,2010,2011,2013,2014],{},"During our time at nCrowd, I also co-authored and led the filing of a ",[19,2008,2009],{},"patent for group buying technology"," that enabled smarter targeting and retention strategies.",[23,2012],{},"\n📜 ",[793,2015,2017],{"href":2016,"target":1032},"https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2014186385","WO2014186385 - Customer Targeting, Acquisition, and Retention Platform and Method",[16,2019,2020],{},"Dealster’s evolution from a bold idea to a nationally recognized platform laid the groundwork for many of the commerce and performance marketing systems we’ve built since.",[86,2022],{},[877,2024],{"id":2025},"chitown-deals",[91,2027,2029],{"id":2028},"chitown-deals-acquired-by-tippr","Chitown Deals, acquired by Tippr",[16,2031,2032],{},[82,2033,2034],{},"Coupons, Daily Deals & a 2010 Exit",[16,2036,2037],{},"Chitown Deals was one of our very first startup ventures — born out of the economic uncertainty following the 2008 Recession, when consumers increasingly turned to savings and smarter spending.",[16,2039,2040,2041,2044,2045,2048],{},"The first version of Chitown Deals launched through a partnership with ",[19,2042,2043],{},"Coupons.com",", delivering curated weekly coupons to Chicago-based subscribers. As the appetite for local deals grew, the platform evolved into a full-blown ",[19,2046,2047],{},"Daily Deal marketplace"," — enabling merchants to create and promote their own offers directly to nearby customers.",[16,2050,2051,2052,2055,2056,2059,2060,2063],{},"At its peak, Chitown Deals became the ",[19,2053,2054],{},"second most popular daily deal site in Chicago",", trailing only Groupon. Its rapid growth and local traction caught the attention of industry players, and on ",[19,2057,2058],{},"June 1, 2010",", Chitown Deals was officially ",[19,2061,2062],{},"acquired by Tippr",", expanding their national footprint to 10 U.S. markets.",[16,2065,2066,2067],{},"📄 ",[793,2068,2070],{"href":2069,"target":1032},"https://www.crunchbase.com/acquisition/tippr-acquires-chitowndeals-com--2e667938","Tippr.com Expands Chicago Presence with Acquisition of Chitown Deals; Tippr Now Operating in 10 U.S. Markets",[86,2072],{},{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2074},[2075,2076,2077,2078,2079,2084,2085,2086,2087,2088,2089,2090,2091,2092,2093,2094,2095],{"id":812,"depth":217,"text":813},{"id":879,"depth":217,"text":882},{"id":974,"depth":217,"text":975},{"id":1078,"depth":217,"text":1081},{"id":1141,"depth":217,"text":1142,"children":2080},[2081,2082,2083],{"id":1231,"depth":222,"text":1232},{"id":1272,"depth":222,"text":1273},{"id":1287,"depth":222,"text":1288},{"id":1304,"depth":217,"text":851},{"id":1414,"depth":217,"text":1415},{"id":1476,"depth":217,"text":1477},{"id":1540,"depth":217,"text":1541},{"id":1583,"depth":217,"text":1584},{"id":1638,"depth":217,"text":1639},{"id":1693,"depth":217,"text":1694},{"id":1746,"depth":217,"text":1749},{"id":1790,"depth":217,"text":1791},{"id":1866,"depth":217,"text":1867},{"id":1940,"depth":217,"text":1941},{"id":2028,"depth":217,"text":2029},{},{"title":2098,"visible":228,"order":222},"Ventures","/en/ventures","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"My Current and Past Ventures\"\\ndescription: \"Hi, I’m Alen Malkoč — a serial entrepreneur behind HulkApps and Shop Circle, now building AI-native companies from Sarajevo.\"\\nsummary: \"Over the past decade, we’ve built, scaled, and sold businesses across ecommerce, SaaS, and AI — all with a bias toward speed, product excellence, and real-world value. From launching HulkApps and serving 100,000+ merchants, to leading the post-acquisition growth of Shop Circle, our journey has been defined by bold execution and building the right teams. Today, we’re focused on going fully AI-native — launching ventures like FlyRank and 10x, and evolving service teams like Praella and Power Commerce into AI-driven delivery engines. Our mission is simple - to help brands, teams, and platforms do 10x more — faster, smarter, and more efficiently — by leveraging automation, insight, and thoughtful design. Thanks for following the journey. Let’s build what’s next. See you around.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"Ventures\"\\n visible: true\\n order: 3\\n---\\n\\n::logos-list-plain\\n---\\nsubtitle: \"From agency roots to AI-native — this is the journey.\"\\ntitle: \"Current & Past Ventures\"\\n---\\n\\nBelow is my journey across various ventures, brands, and projects. Some recent press includes coverage from [**Al Jazeera**](https://balkans.aljazeera.net/teme/2023/8/20/povratak-uspjesnog-poduzetnika-u-bih-naporan-rad-je-osnova-svega) and [**Bloomberg Adria**](https://ba.bloombergadria.com/biznis/kompanije/59837/hulkapps-inovacija-talenti-i-ai-u-odrzivoj-buducnosti-it-a/news).\\n\\n## 10x\\n*Native AI. Real Leverage. Exponential Impact.*\\n\\n10x is our commitment to building the future — not around AI, but **with it at the core**.\\n\\nWe’re going fully native AI. That means creating tools, systems, and services designed from the ground up to help people achieve **10x outcomes** — in less time, with fewer resources, and with more clarity. This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about scale, leverage, and transformation.\\n\\nAt the center of 10x is our methodology: \\n**Enable teams and customers to accomplish 10x more — using the same effort — through the power of AI.**\\n\\nFlyRank is the first product to emerge from this ecosystem — a full-stack AI growth engine for content, SEO, and AEO. But it’s just the beginning.\\n\\nWe're actively evolving our two agencies — **Power Commerce** and **Praella** — into next-gen delivery engines. As part of the 10x ecosystem, they are launching a new vertical: \\n##### **AI Implementation & Services** \\nHelping brands apply AI across product, marketing, CX, and operations — to 10x their performance, process, and potential.\\n\\nFrom software to strategy, we're building a suite of tools and services that redefine what teams can do — and how fast they can do it.\\n\\nThis is more than a pivot. It’s a full-stack evolution toward the future of work.\\n\\n🚀 [10x: Coming Soon]\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"flyrank\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## FlyRank\\n\\n*The AI Growth Engine for Content, SEO, and AEO*\\n\\nFlyRank is our latest and most ambitious venture — a platform designed to solve the growing complexity of scaling organic growth. We're building the first **Enterprise AI Growth Engine** that enables companies to generate, optimize, and manage content at scale — across SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).\\n\\nOver the years, we've seen teams struggle with the same bottlenecks: content velocity, ranking volatility, and the growing gap between strategy and execution. FlyRank closes that gap. It’s not just another AI writer — it’s a full-stack growth engine built for marketing teams, product-led organizations, and founders who want results, not just drafts.\\n\\nWith AI at the core, FlyRank helps you:\\n\\n- Generate high-quality, search-optimized content fast \\n- Monitor rankings and content performance in real time \\n- Optimize across traditional SEO and emerging answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini \\n- Scale globally with localized, multilingual output\\n\\nWe're working closely with early partners and building toward a future where content creation is no longer a bottleneck — but a growth lever.\\n\\nThe goal? **10x your organic reach, without 10x the headcount.**\\n\\nThis is more than a tool. It’s a shift in how modern teams grow.\\n\\n👉 [FlyRank.com](https://flyrank.com)\\n\\nAs part of our ongoing innovation, we also operate two experimental products under **FlyRank Labs**:\\n\\n- [**jaqnjil.ai**](https://jaqnjil.ai): A fast, zero-friction tool for generating bite-sized SEO answers in a single click. \\n- [**saasinsights.co**](https://saasinsights.co): A SaaS intelligence tracker offering real-time visibility into rankings, category movements, and SEO performance.\\n\\nThese Labs projects let us test bold ideas in the wild — and bring them back into FlyRank’s core engine when they prove valuable.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"powercommerce\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Power Commerce, formerly Wolfpoint Agency\\n*Enterprise Services. Platform Flexibility. Brand-Centric Execution.*\\n\\nPower Commerce, formerly known as **Wolfpoint Agency**, is part of the **Praella Agency Group** — our core ecommerce solutions powerhouse.\\n\\nEstablished in 2016 as a certified **Shopify Plus Partner**, Wolfpoint quickly grew into one of the top-performing agencies in the ecosystem. As a **Recharge Elite Partner**, we’ve worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands — including **Condé Nast**, **Natura Brasil**, **Tula Skincare**, **Dr. Squatch**, **Martha Stewart**, **Ghost**, and many more.\\n\\nAs the ecommerce landscape evolved, so did we.\\n\\nWe rebranded Wolfpoint into \u003Ca href=\"https://powercommerce.com\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>Power Commerce\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> to better reflect our broader vision: delivering solutions that go beyond Shopify. Today, Power Commerce focuses on helping brands thrive across a variety of platforms and ecosystems — including:\\n\\n- **Content Management Systems** like WordPress, Webflow, and Headless CMS \\n- **Global eCommerce Platforms** such as Shopline and Shoplazza \\n- **Enterprise Suites** like Adobe Experience Manager \\n- **Custom Solutions** tailored to unique business needs\\n\\nWith Power Commerce, we help brands scale with agility — whether they’re building on Shopify or moving beyond it. We bring deep technical experience, creative execution, and a platform-agnostic mindset to every challenge.\\n\\nWe don’t just build. We power commerce. \\n🔗 \u003Ca href=\"https://powercommerce.com\" target=\"_blank\">Visit powercommerce.co\u003C/a>\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"shop-circle\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Shop Circle\\n*Scaling the World’s Most Complete Shopify App Stack*\\n\\nAfter founding and scaling **HulkApps**, we joined Shop Circle following the acquisition to help **define and expand the portfolio**. Over two years, we helped grow the company from a suite of acquired products into a 50+ app ecosystem, serving merchants around the world.\\n\\nMy responsibilities spanned **product, operations, tech, marketing, and M&A** — with a focus on integrating and scaling post-acquisition apps. We directly led or supported the acquisitions of 10+ Shopify Apps, including:\\n\\n**Eastside, Accentuate, Wholesale Helper, Aiden, 506, Bold, CartHook, Rush, Releasit, Forsberg+2**\\n\\nI personally hired and managed **180+ people**, built out **new divisions**, and introduced an **AI-first roadmap** that embedded automation, performance tracking, and competitor intelligence into product and growth workflows.\\n\\nWe’re incredibly proud of what Shop Circle became — and how Sarajevo grew into its HQ and innovation hub.\\n\\n\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"hulk-apps\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## HulkApps, acquired by Shop Circle\\n*From Frustration to Flagship — The Journey That Changed Everything*\\n\\nHulkApps is where everything truly clicked.\\n\\nWe founded HulkApps after leaving Empist (formerly Digerati Group), driven by a deep frustration with bureaucracy and stagnation. We didn’t want to ask for permission to grow — we wanted to build. And build we did.\\n\\nWhat started as a small, scrappy operation quickly evolved into **one of the largest independent Shopify app and service providers in the world**.\\n\\nWe grew HulkApps into:\\n- **20+ apps**, **11 Shopify themes**, and **100,000+ merchants served**\\n- Over **300 million consumer interactions** powered through our merchants\\n- An infrastructure capable of handling **1.3 billion+ requests**\\n- A globally distributed team with headquarters in **Sarajevo**, later home to **135+ employees**\\n\\nOur growth defied conventional agency logic. Instead of focusing narrowly on one offering, we embraced the full Shopify merchant lifecycle — from **theme development** to **custom services**, and eventually, **apps at scale**. We scaled responsibly across each channel, with strong internal teams and strategic leadership.\\n\\n> 📝 Read more about our approach: \\n> 🔗 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.hulkapps.com/blogs/topics/how-hulkapps-expanded-their-business-with-shopify-service-offerings\" target=\"_blank\">How HulkApps Expanded Their Business with Shopify Service Offerings\u003C/a>\\n\\n---\\n\\n### Acquisition & A New Chapter\\n\\nIn **September 2022**, HulkApps was acquired by **Shop Circle**, and became its **flagship acquisition** — forming the cultural and operational blueprint that helped shape what Shop Circle is today.\\n\\nWe joined forces to scale faster, build smarter, and tap into a broader ecosystem of tools and talent. And more importantly, we stayed true to our mission: helping ecommerce merchants create unforgettable customer experiences, drive loyalty, and grow their brands.\\n\\n> 📰 Read the official announcement: \\n> 🔗 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.hulkapps.com/blogs/hulksharenews/a-new-chapter-for-hulkapps\" target=\"_blank\">A New Chapter for HulkApps\u003C/a>\\n\\n::images-bento\\n---\\nimage1: /images/gallery/62258_heer2008_f_1_f7e93049e5.JPG\\nimage2: /images/gallery/62257_jay_2771_orig_8447bc3e16.JPG\\nimage3: /images/gallery/62260_heer0496_orig_d7d86cec90.JPG\\nimage4: /images/gallery/Alen_Photo_01_1691941781_1_9b1832a7cd.webp\\n---\\n::\\n\\n---\\n\\n### People First, Always\\n\\nNone of this would have been possible without the people who poured their energy, heart, and hustle into HulkApps. We’re especially thankful for:\\n\\n**Amer Grozdanic, Chirag Desai, Gini Bandheri, Niraj Delvadia, Keval Kankotiya, Bhavya Bhavsar, Shruti Shah**, and many, many more — each of whom helped HulkApps become more than just a company. They helped shape a culture of execution, ownership, and unmatched resilience.\\n\\n---\\n\\n### Legacy\\n\\nHulkApps remains one of the most important building blocks in our journey. It was proof that bold bets, clear vision, and relentless action can change not only your business — but an entire ecosystem.\\n\\nFrom themes to services to apps, and from startup grit to global scale — HulkApps became more than we ever imagined. And it’s still growing.\\n\\n*We’re proud of what we built. Even more proud of who we built it with.*\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"praella\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Praella\\n*Elite Strategy. Award-Winning Execution. People-First Culture.*\\n\\nPraella is our flagship agency — where creativity, engineering, and performance intersect. We specialize in building high-performing ecommerce experiences for the world’s most ambitious brands.\\n\\nAs a recognized leader in the space, we’re proud to hold several key distinctions:\\n\\n- ✅ **Shopify Elite Partner** — placing us among the **top 1% of Shopify agencies globally** \\n- 🏆 **Webby Award Winner** — for our work on [**Billie Eilish Fragrances**](https://winners.webbyawards.com/2022/websites-and-mobile-sites/features-design/best-homepage/215651/billie-eilish-fragrances) (Best Homepage Design – 2022) \\n- 🏅 **Webby Award Nominee** — for **Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs** \\n- 💼 **Elite Partner** of \u003Ca href=\"https://shopify.com\" target=\"_blank\">Shopify\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://rechargepayments.com\" target=\"_blank\">Recharge\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.gorgias.com\" target=\"_blank\">Gorgias\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca href=\"https://www.klaviyo.com\" target=\"_blank\">Klaviyo\u003C/a> \\n- 🌱 **Certified Great Place to Work** — reflecting our commitment to culture and employee satisfaction\\n\\nPraella is also a continuation of our core founding team — **Alen, Amer, Chirag, Niraj, and Keval** — the same group behind HulkApps. With deep experience, shared trust, and a decade-long partnership, we've carried forward our culture of execution, curiosity, and excellence into every project at Praella.\\n\\nAt Praella, we don’t just deliver. We co-create with clients — bringing design precision, technical depth, and growth strategy to every project. From Shopify Plus builds to retention systems, we help brands scale with confidence.\\n\\nWe believe award-winning work starts with a culture that puts people first — both internally and with the partners we serve.\\n\\n\\n🔗 \u003Ca href=\"https://praella.com\" target=\"_blank\">Visit praella.com\u003C/a>\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"cart-hook\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## CartHook, a Shop Circle acquisition\\n*Rebuilt. Repositioned. Revived.*\\n\\nCartHook was the original post-purchase offer app for Shopify and Recharge — the one that started it all. But over time, the product lost momentum and market share, ultimately becoming a distressed asset with significant untapped potential.\\n\\nDuring our time at Shop Circle, we led the **due diligence**, **acquisition**, and **strategic repositioning** of CartHook. Within a few months, the app was stabilized, re-engineered, and transformed into a profitable product once again — fully integrated into the Shop Circle portfolio.\\n\\nA key part of that turnaround was the hustle and leadership of people like **Tarik \"Sela\" Selimović** (Product Owner) and **Adel Rovčanin** (Marketing Manager), who played instrumental roles in rebuilding trust with users and repositioning CartHook as a serious competitor in the post-purchase space — going head-to-head with tools like AfterSell.\\n\\nNotably, CartHook also became one of the **first apps to receive Shopify’s Built for Shopify badge** — a milestone that speaks to the quality, performance, and trust the team worked hard to deliver. Major kudos to **Tarik and the rest of the team** for pushing the product to that level.\\n\\nCartHook continues to operate under the Shop Circle umbrella, serving merchants who want to maximize checkout revenue and optimize post-purchase workflows.\\n\\n🔗 \u003Ca href=\"https://carthook.com\" target=\"_blank\">Visit carthook.com\u003C/a>\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"releasit\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Releasit, a Shop Circle acquisition\\n*Enabling Cash-on-Delivery Growth Across LATAM & Asia*\\n\\nReleasit was a powerful post-purchase solution focused on enabling **Cash on Delivery (COD)** workflows for merchants across LATAM and Asia. We led the **due diligence**, **acquisition**, and **strategic transition** — which notably included replacing the founder, **Gabriele**, within just 6 months, with no disruption to the business. That transition remains one of our proudest operational milestones.\\n\\nWe scaled Releasit into one of **Shop Circle’s flagship products**, growing the team by 25+ people and doubling revenue **year-over-year**. We also launched a new **support and partnerships division in Colombia**, giving us a critical strategic presence in LATAM.\\n\\nMore importantly, we enabled a strong new generation of team leaders who continue the mission today — including **Edin Lindov**, **Muhamed Musa**, **Mehmed \"Mesa\" Duranovic**, and **Kenneth Montoya**, among many others.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"accentuate\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Accentuate, a Shop Circle acquisition\\n*From Danish Roots to Global Scale*\\n\\nAccentuate was acquired by Shop Circle in 2023 from **Ole Thorup**, a Danish entrepreneur who built one of Shopify’s most loved field management tools.\\n\\nWe were tasked with **rebuilding the full team** — including support, product, and development — and managing a series of **critical infrastructure migrations**. The transition was completed in just 6 months.\\n\\nLed by **Haris \"Hole\" Hodžić**, who continues to serve as **General Manager**, Accentuate was successfully integrated and remains one of the most technically robust apps in the portfolio.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"rush\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Rush, a Shop Circle acquisition\\n*Rebuilt Into a Scalable Post-Purchase Tracking Experience*\\n\\nRush was an **order status tracking app** that we acquired and successfully integrated into the **HulkApps Order Status Tracker (OST)**.\\n\\nWe led the **due diligence**, **strategy**, and hands-on team deployment that helped stabilize and migrate Rush merchants into a **more reliable, scalable solution** under the HulkApps brand.\\n\\nSpecial thanks to **Mario Peshev** (former CEO of Rush) and **Admir Saheta** (one of our core developers), who were instrumental in the transition and platform merge.\\n\\n📰 \u003Ca href=\"https://therecursive.com/bulgarian-e-commerce-startup-rush-acquired-by-shop-circle-for-strategic-integration/\" target=\"_blank\">Read the acquisition announcement\u003C/a>\\n\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"eastsideco\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Eastside, a Shop Circle acquisition\\n\\n*Quick Turnaround, Long-Term Growth*\\n\\nWe worked with **Jason Stokes** from Eastside Co to acquire two of their core apps — **Easy Redirects** and **Back in Stock** — marking the **first post-HulkApps acquisition** where the HulkApps team took full lead on the transition.\\n\\nBig kudos to **Shailesh Desai** and **Tarik \"Sela\" Selimović** for leading this project from both the product and technical sides. After their transition to other roles, the torch was carried by **Anes Mehovic** and **Tarik Lilic**, who continue to drive growth.\\n\\nDespite a **tight one-month transition window**, our team executed a full handover, ensuring these apps remained strong contributors to the Shop Circle portfolio.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"bold\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Bold Commerce, a Shop Circle acquisition\\n*Complex Transition. Scalable Impact.*\\n\\nAs part of our acquisition work at Shop Circle, we partnered with Bold Commerce to acquire key products including **Bold Product Options**, **Bold Loyalty Points**, and **Bold Store Locator**.\\n\\nThis was one of our most technically demanding acquisitions, requiring the setup of a **dedicated support, product, CX, and engineering team** — largely based in Bosnia.\\n\\nShoutout to **JP Tretault**, **Harun Fazlagić**, **Arijana Ibrović**, and **Seid Korać**, along with many others, who helped transition and scale these complex applications.\\n\\nToday, they remain **cornerstone apps within the Shop Circle portfolio**, continuing to thrive on the Shopify App Store.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"seapixel\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Seapixel \\n*Small Studio. Sharp Ideas. Special Projects.*\\n\\n**Seapixel** is a boutique venture studio focused on building technical frameworks and supporting high-impact, special projects behind the scenes.\\n\\nFounded alongside **Evan Skoulikaritis** — a close friend and long-time collaborator — Seapixel has been a creative playground for experimentation, problem-solving, and custom app development. Evan continues to lead custom product initiatives through Seapixel today.\\n\\n> 💡 Fun fact: We quietly sold [**FluidFramework.com**](https://fluidframework.com) to Microsoft — a lesser-known, but proud moment in our journey.\\n\\nSeapixel may be small by design, but its impact is woven into many of the tools, systems, and frameworks we’ve helped bring to life across our portfolio.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"lumia\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Lumia Marketing Agency, acquired by Empist\\n\\n*From Email to eCommerce — Built for Growth, Acquired for Impact*\\n\\nAfter exiting Optyn, we took everything we had learned — from building SaaS platforms to scaling email marketing solutions — and returned to our core mission: helping merchants grow. That’s how **Lumia** was born.\\n\\nWe originally launched as an email marketing agency but quickly pivoted to support the rapidly expanding **Shopify ecosystem**. The timing was right — and so was the focus. We began working with some of the fastest-growing DTC brands like **MVMT Watches**, **Argo Tea**, and **Gramovox**, driving results through full-funnel marketing: web, email, social, and beyond.\\n\\nLumia evolved into a full-service **Shopify Web Development and eCommerce Growth Agency**, combining UX, development, and performance marketing into one tight team. We had the privilege of becoming the **first official Shopify Plus Partner**, supporting some of the most influential brands still thriving on the platform today.\\n\\nIn **2016**, we were **acquired by Digerati Group**, a digital consultancy that would later rebrand into **Empist**. The acquisition enabled our team to scale capabilities within a larger ecosystem, while still maintaining our mission of driving meaningful growth for ecommerce brands. I signed a three-year agreement as part of the acquisition — but didn’t last more than one, triggering an early exit clause. The good news? That’s how **HulkApps** was born.\\n\\n📰 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/inno/stories/news/2015/09/01/chicago-download-digerati-group-acquires-lumia.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Inno: Digerati Group acquires Lumia\u003C/a> \\n📰 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empist-celebrates-25-years-of-growth-innovation-and-service-302478413.html\" target=\"_blank\">Empist Celebrates 25 Years\u003C/a>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"optyn\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Optyn, acquired by CDS\\n*Email Marketing Made Simple for Small Businesses*\\n\\nOptyn was an email and social media marketing platform designed from the ground up for small businesses. At a time when less than 4% of SMBs were using email marketing tools, we saw a massive opportunity: the existing platforms were built for power users — not for the busy local merchant trying to stay afloat. Optyn changed that.\\n\\nWe built a simple, image-based platform that allowed merchants to launch professional campaigns in under two minutes. No blank canvases. No complex tools. Just guided, proven templates that worked — and a product that held your hand the whole way. With a few clicks, a small business could re-engage its entire customer base and see measurable results.\\n\\nBehind the product was a battle-tested founding team: we had already built and exited Dealer, which sent millions of emails per day to over 10,000 businesses. That experience, combined with insights from running local brick-and-mortar shops ourselves, shaped Optyn’s usability and vision. Together with Louis Morales (COO) and Gaurav Gaglani (CTO), we built the platform and scaled a team of eight developers to deliver it to market.\\n\\nOptyn didn’t just gain traction with customers — it attracted partners. We launched a white-label strategy with platforms like E Street, giving 1,500+ restaurants the ability to promote offers directly from their dashboards. That distribution-first approach helped us scale and paved the way for what came next.\\n\\nIn **October 2014**, Optyn was **acquired by Central Data Storage**, marking a successful exit and proving the demand for SMB-first marketing tools. \\n📄 \u003Ca href=\"https://wellfound.com/company/optyn/funding\" target=\"_blank\">Raised $309K — view funding history\u003C/a> \\n🎥 View our pitch to the gener8tor investor community from Summer 2013\\n\\n::lite-youtube\\n---\\nvideoId: \"MGhfUU8IUtw\"\\nalt: \"Optyn presentation at gener8tor Milwaukee Summer 2013 Launch Day\"\\n---\\n::\\n\\n📰 Acquisition Coverage: \\n- \u003Ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2014/12/gener8tor-grad-optyn-acquired.html\" target=\"_blank\">Milwaukee Business Journal - gener8tor grad Optyn Acquired\u003C/a> \\n- \u003Ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/inno/stories/news/2014/12/12/central-data-storage-acquires-optyn.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Inno - Central Data Storage acquires Optyn\u003C/a> \\n- \u003Ca href=\"https://www.gmtoday.com/business/gener8tor-company-optyn-acquired/article_73870c97-c51c-52a3-975f-5ffef9802a8d.html\" target=\"_blank\">GM Today- gener8tor Company Optyn Acquired\u003C/a>\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"dealster\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Dealster, Acquired by nCrowd\\n*Scaling Daily Deals Through Self-Service Technology*\\n\\nAfter the acquisition of Chitown Deals, we had a simple but bold insight: do it again — but do it better. That idea led to the creation of **Dealster**.\\n\\nWe acquired the domain for $10,000 — a serious commitment back in 2010 — and launched Dealster with a new approach to local offers. Instead of replicating the Groupon model, we built a **self-service platform** that allowed merchants across the U.S. to create, manage, and publish their own deals.\\n\\nThe model worked. **Dealster quickly scaled to serve customers in over 25,000 cities and towns**, becoming one of the largest daily deal sites in the market at the time.\\n\\nThat growth caught the attention of **Half Off Depot**, which acquired Dealster in **April 2012**. \\n📰 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/half-off-depot-acquires-dealster-147167005.html\" target=\"_blank\">PR Newswire - Half Off Depot acquires Dealster.\u003C/a> \\n📰 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2012/04/12/half-off-depot-picks-up-dealster.html\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta Business Chronicle - Half Off Depot picks up Dealster\u003C/a>\\n\\nOur entire team joined Half Off Depot, which later rebranded as **nCrowd** during a wave of roll-ups in the space. We took the Dealster platform and evolved it into the **core technology stack behind nCrowd**, helping power thousands of deals and millions in transactions. At its peak, **nCrowd became the #2 player in the daily deals industry**, right behind Groupon.\\n\\nDuring our time at nCrowd, I also co-authored and led the filing of a **patent for group buying technology** that enabled smarter targeting and retention strategies. \\n📜 \u003Ca href=\"https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2014186385\" target=\"_blank\">WO2014186385 - Customer Targeting, Acquisition, and Retention Platform and Method\u003C/a>\\n\\nDealster’s evolution from a bold idea to a nationally recognized platform laid the groundwork for many of the commerce and performance marketing systems we’ve built since.\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n\u003Cdiv id=\"chitown-deals\">\u003C/div>\\n\\n## Chitown Deals, acquired by Tippr\\n*Coupons, Daily Deals & a 2010 Exit*\\n\\nChitown Deals was one of our very first startup ventures — born out of the economic uncertainty following the 2008 Recession, when consumers increasingly turned to savings and smarter spending.\\n\\nThe first version of Chitown Deals launched through a partnership with **Coupons.com**, delivering curated weekly coupons to Chicago-based subscribers. As the appetite for local deals grew, the platform evolved into a full-blown **Daily Deal marketplace** — enabling merchants to create and promote their own offers directly to nearby customers.\\n\\nAt its peak, Chitown Deals became the **second most popular daily deal site in Chicago**, trailing only Groupon. Its rapid growth and local traction caught the attention of industry players, and on **June 1, 2010**, Chitown Deals was officially **acquired by Tippr**, expanding their national footprint to 10 U.S. markets.\\n\\n📄 \u003Ca href=\"https://www.crunchbase.com/acquisition/tippr-acquires-chitowndeals-com--2e667938\" target=\"_blank\">Tippr.com Expands Chicago Presence with Acquisition of Chitown Deals; Tippr Now Operating in 10 U.S. Markets\u003C/a>\\n\\n\u003Chr>\\n\\n::",{"title":781,"description":380},"en/ventures","Over the past decade, we’ve built, scaled, and sold businesses across ecommerce, SaaS, and AI — all with a bias toward speed, product excellence, and real-world value. From launching HulkApps and serving 100,000+ merchants, to leading the post-acquisition growth of Shop Circle, our journey has been defined by bold execution and building the right teams. Today, we’re focused on going fully AI-native — launching ventures like FlyRank and 10x, and evolving service teams like Praella and Power Commerce into AI-driven delivery engines. Our mission is simple - to help brands, teams, and platforms do 10x more — faster, smarter, and more efficiently — by leveraging automation, insight, and thoughtful design. Thanks for following the journey. Let’s build what’s next. See you around.","XY-fEBu8ZtE6bWm5IP36pRH4yuJkus3YOGbOHPl8F8k",[2106,2123,2139],{"id":2107,"description":2108,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":2109,"name":2116,"navigation":2117,"rawbody":2119,"slug":2120,"stem":2121,"summary":2108,"tts":228,"__hash__":2122},"blogCategories/en/insights/categories/building-in-public.md","Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.",{"path":2110,"title":2111,"body":2112},"/en/insights/categories/building-in-public","Building In Public",{"type":10,"value":2113,"toc":2114},[],{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2115},[],"Building in public",{"title":2116,"description":2108,"icon":2118,"visible":228,"order":222},"heroicons:cog-6-tooth","---\\nlocale: en\\nname: \"Building in public\"\\nslug: building-in-public\\ndescription: \"Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.\"\\nsummary: \"Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: Building in public\\n description: \"Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.\"\\n icon: \"heroicons:cog-6-tooth\"\\n visible: true\\n order: 3\\n---\\n","building-in-public","en/insights/categories/building-in-public","qHnKTEWPnCu9cyTmnPJ2BO5J0dplOMxNtxcgC7ZNRP0",{"id":2124,"description":2108,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":2125,"name":2132,"navigation":2133,"rawbody":2135,"slug":2136,"stem":2137,"summary":2108,"tts":228,"__hash__":2138},"blogCategories/en/insights/categories/cro-science.md",{"path":2126,"title":2127,"body":2128},"/en/insights/categories/cro-science","Cro Science",{"type":10,"value":2129,"toc":2130},[],{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2131},[],"CRO Science",{"title":2132,"description":2108,"icon":2134,"visible":228,"order":217},"heroicons:eye","---\\nlocale: en\\nname: \"CRO Science\"\\nslug: cro-science\\ndescription: \"Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.\"\\nsummary: \"Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: \"CRO Science\"\\n description: \"Accelerating data, optimizing experiments.\"\\n icon: \"heroicons:eye\"\\n visible: true\\n order: 2\\n---\\n","cro-science","en/insights/categories/cro-science","i3QMJKDC8fcwghMGnop4ddj30wSin9cwV0kURezdJgQ",{"id":2140,"description":2141,"extension":224,"locale":225,"meta":2142,"name":2149,"navigation":2150,"rawbody":2153,"slug":2154,"stem":2155,"summary":2141,"tts":228,"__hash__":2156},"blogCategories/en/insights/categories/today-in-ai.md","AI reshapes work, ethics, innovation.",{"path":2143,"title":2144,"body":2145},"/en/insights/categories/today-in-ai","Today In Ai",{"type":10,"value":2146,"toc":2147},[],{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2148},[],"Today in AI",{"title":2149,"description":2141,"icon":2151,"visible":228,"order":2152},"heroicons:star",1,"---\\nlocale: en\\nname: \"Today in AI\"\\nslug: today-in-ai\\ndescription: \"AI reshapes work, ethics, innovation.\"\\nsummary: \"AI reshapes work, ethics, innovation.\"\\ntts: true\\nnavigation:\\n title: Today in AI\\n description: \"AI reshapes work, ethics, innovation.\"\\n icon: \"heroicons:star\"\\n visible: true\\n order: 1\\n---\\n","today-in-ai","en/insights/categories/today-in-ai","DDpsmGCrCAzMkdpXItZkQkyHOWcXL9lX0vVTEktRWLE",[2158,2512,2578,2620,2869,3215,3258,3302,3346,3391,3436,3595,3769,4013,4055,4194,4228,4238,4272,4280,4444,4540],{"id":2159,"title":2160,"body":2161,"category":2154,"createdBy":2496,"date":2497,"description":2498,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":2499,"locale":225,"meta":2500,"navigation":228,"path":2501,"rawbody":2502,"seo":2503,"slug":2504,"stem":2505,"summary":2506,"tags":2507,"tts":228,"__hash__":2511},"blog/en/insights/ai-news-june-20.md","AI News & Updates – June 20: Voices, Agents, Video & Enterprise Tools",{"type":10,"value":2162,"toc":2476},[2163,2167,2171,2174,2176,2180,2187,2226,2228,2232,2238,2269,2271,2275,2278,2285,2310,2317,2333,2340,2364,2366,2370,2374,2398,2402,2432,2434,2438,2448,2451,2453,2457,2471,2473],[415,2164,2166],{"id":2165},"ai-news-updates-june-20","AI News & Updates – June 20",[211,2168,2170],{"id":2169},"the-latest-in-ai-voices-agents-video-and-enterprise-tools","The Latest in AI Voices, Agents, Video, and Enterprise Tools",[16,2172,2173],{},"Welcome to this week’s AI deep dive — your quick breakdown of the most impactful updates across the AI space. From emotionally nuanced AI voices and real-deal automation agents to breakthroughs in AI-generated video and enterprise-grade integrations, here’s what matters and why.",[86,2175],{},[91,2177,2179],{"id":2178},"_11-labs-v3-ai-voices-that-sound-human","🔊 11 Labs V3: AI Voices That Sound Human",[16,2181,2182,2183,2186],{},"The new ",[19,2184,2185],{},"11 Labs V3"," model is live in public alpha and redefines AI-generated speech.",[265,2188,2189,2196,2203,2209,2216,2219],{},[268,2190,2191,2192,2195],{},"Now supports ",[19,2193,2194],{},"70+ languages",", covering 90% of the global population.",[268,2197,2198,2199,2202],{},"Lets users ",[19,2200,2201],{},"embed emotion tags"," (like excited, whispering) directly in text.",[268,2204,2205,2208],{},[19,2206,2207],{},"Built from the ground up"," with a focus on pro markets: film, audiobooks, games.",[268,2210,2211,2212,2215],{},"New ",[19,2213,2214],{},"multi-speaker API"," allows for more natural conversations and dialogues.",[268,2217,2218],{},"V3 isn’t real-time yet, but older V2.5 Turbo models are recommended for now.",[268,2220,2221,2222,2225],{},"Currently offering ",[19,2223,2224],{},"80% off self-serve plans"," through June 2025.",[86,2227],{},[91,2229,2231],{"id":2230},"ai-agents-runner-h-by-h-company","🤖 AI Agents: Runner H by H Company",[16,2233,2234,2237],{},[19,2235,2236],{},"Runner H"," is making waves with an AI agent that actually performs tasks on the web.",[265,2239,2240,2247,2253,2260,2263],{},[268,2241,2242,2243,2246],{},"Powered by ",[19,2244,2245],{},"Hollow1",", a 3B parameter visual language model.",[268,2248,2249,2250,809],{},"Understands layout of webpages — ",[19,2251,2252],{},"clicks buttons, fills forms, books travel",[268,2254,2255,2256,2259],{},"Outperforms competitors in the ",[19,2257,2258],{},"WebVoyager benchmark"," with 67% success.",[268,2261,2262],{},"Works across platforms: Gmail, Notion, Slack, Zapier, etc.",[268,2264,1235,2265,2268],{},[19,2266,2267],{},"public beta"," and free to try now.",[86,2270],{},[91,2272,2274],{"id":2273},"ai-video-is-exploding","🎬 AI Video Is Exploding",[16,2276,2277],{},"Three distinct approaches to AI video are gaining traction:",[211,2279,2281,2282],{"id":2280},"_1-google-deepmind-v3","1. ",[19,2283,2284],{},"Google DeepMind V3",[265,2286,2287,2290,2297],{},[268,2288,2289],{},"Generates high-quality short videos from text or images.",[268,2291,2292,2293,2296],{},"Includes ",[19,2294,2295],{},"integrated audio",", character consistency, and camera control.",[268,2298,2299,2300,801,2303,2306,2307,809],{},"Now in ",[19,2301,2302],{},"Leonardo.ai",[19,2304,2305],{},"Gemini app",", available in ",[19,2308,2309],{},"73 countries",[211,2311,2313,2314],{"id":2312},"_2-mirage-studio-captions-ai","2. ",[19,2315,2316],{},"Mirage Studio (Captions AI)",[265,2318,2319,2326],{},[268,2320,2321,2322,2325],{},"Builds ",[19,2323,2324],{},"hyper-realistic AI actors"," from text prompts or reference images.",[268,2327,2328,2329,2332],{},"Focused on ",[19,2330,2331],{},"marketing content"," — promises to cut production time by 90%.",[211,2334,2336,2337],{"id":2335},"_3-heygen-ai-studio","3. ",[19,2338,2339],{},"HeyGen AI Studio",[265,2341,2342,2349,2361],{},[268,2343,2344,2345,2348],{},"Built for ",[19,2346,2347],{},"fine-grained control"," over AI avatars and video editing.",[268,2350,2351,2352,1006,2355,1173,2358,809],{},"Features ",[19,2353,2354],{},"voice mirroring",[19,2356,2357],{},"gesture mapping",[19,2359,2360],{},"natural language performance direction",[268,2362,2363],{},"Launched with their most lifelike avatar yet.",[86,2365],{},[91,2367,2369],{"id":2368},"ai-platforms-go-deeper","🧠 AI Platforms Go Deeper",[211,2371,2373],{"id":2372},"google-gemini-25-pro","Google Gemini 2.5 Pro",[265,2375,2376,2383,2389],{},[268,2377,2378,2379,2382],{},"Now leads on the ",[19,2380,2381],{},"WebDev Arena leaderboard"," for building apps from prompts.",[268,2384,2211,2385,2388],{},[19,2386,2387],{},"“thinking budgets”"," allow developers to control compute usage and cost.",[268,2390,2391,2392,801,2395,809],{},"Available through ",[19,2393,2394],{},"Google AI Studio",[19,2396,2397],{},"Vertex AI",[211,2399,2401],{"id":2400},"openais-enterprise-push","OpenAI’s Enterprise Push",[265,2403,2404,2415,2418,2425],{},[268,2405,2406,2407,2410,2411,2414],{},"Launching ",[19,2408,2409],{},"ChatGPT Connectors"," to access ",[19,2412,2413],{},"private company data"," from tools like Google Drive, SharePoint, Dropbox, and Box.",[268,2416,2417],{},"Strict permission controls ensure data security.",[268,2419,2420,2421,2424],{},"Pushing ChatGPT as a ",[19,2422,2423],{},"central knowledge hub"," for organizations.",[268,2426,2427,2428,2431],{},"Also teased ",[19,2429,2430],{},"deep research connectors"," for more autonomous use cases.",[86,2433],{},[91,2435,2437],{"id":2436},"the-big-picture","🔍 The Big Picture",[16,2439,2440,2441,2443,2444,2447],{},"The thread running through all these updates?",[23,2442],{},"\nAI is moving from impressive demos to ",[19,2445,2446],{},"integrated, usable, daily tools"," — across voice, automation, video, and knowledge.",[16,2449,2450],{},"The question isn’t whether AI will impact how we work and create — it’s how fast it will change everything.",[86,2452],{},[211,2454,2456],{"id":2455},"what-to-watch","💡 What to Watch:",[265,2458,2459,2462,2465,2468],{},[268,2460,2461],{},"Who dominates the AI voice space in pro markets?",[268,2463,2464],{},"Will Runner H trigger a wave of agent-based startups?",[268,2466,2467],{},"Is AI video ready to replace actors or just augment workflows?",[268,2469,2470],{},"Can OpenAI and Google become the central nervous systems for companies?",[86,2472],{},[16,2474,2475],{},"Stay tuned for more weekly drops as the AI race keeps accelerating.",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2477},[2478,2479,2480,2481,2489,2493],{"id":2169,"depth":222,"text":2170},{"id":2178,"depth":217,"text":2179},{"id":2230,"depth":217,"text":2231},{"id":2273,"depth":217,"text":2274,"children":2482},[2483,2485,2487],{"id":2280,"depth":222,"text":2484},"1. Google DeepMind V3",{"id":2312,"depth":222,"text":2486},"2. Mirage Studio (Captions AI)",{"id":2335,"depth":222,"text":2488},"3. HeyGen AI Studio",{"id":2368,"depth":217,"text":2369,"children":2490},[2491,2492],{"id":2372,"depth":222,"text":2373},{"id":2400,"depth":222,"text":2401},{"id":2436,"depth":217,"text":2437,"children":2494},[2495],{"id":2455,"depth":222,"text":2456},"alen","2025-06-20","From 11 Labs’ emotional AI voices to agents that complete web tasks and hyper-realistic AI video — here’s your deep dive into June’s AI breakthroughs.","/images/gallery/b44db447_465e_4528_8599_d56ddebece9a_1_e8c96027d4.jpg",{},"/en/insights/ai-news-june-20","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"AI News & Updates – June 20: Voices, Agents, Video & Enterprise Tools\"\\ndescription: \"From 11 Labs’ emotional AI voices to agents that complete web tasks and hyper-realistic AI video — here’s your deep dive into June’s AI breakthroughs.\"\\nsummary: \"This week in AI: major leaps in voice synthesis, intelligent agents, AI-generated video, and enterprise-grade AI integration. Practical. Powerful. Already here.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: ai-news-update-june-20\\ndate: 2025-06-20\\nimage: /images/gallery/b44db447_465e_4528_8599_d56ddebece9a_1_e8c96027d4.jpg\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ntags: [\"ai\", \"agents\", \"video-generation\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"alen\"\\n---\\n\\n# AI News & Updates – June 20 \\n### The Latest in AI Voices, Agents, Video, and Enterprise Tools\\n\\nWelcome to this week’s AI deep dive — your quick breakdown of the most impactful updates across the AI space. From emotionally nuanced AI voices and real-deal automation agents to breakthroughs in AI-generated video and enterprise-grade integrations, here’s what matters and why.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 🔊 11 Labs V3: AI Voices That Sound Human\\n\\nThe new **11 Labs V3** model is live in public alpha and redefines AI-generated speech. \\n- Now supports **70+ languages**, covering 90% of the global population. \\n- Lets users **embed emotion tags** (like excited, whispering) directly in text. \\n- **Built from the ground up** with a focus on pro markets: film, audiobooks, games. \\n- New **multi-speaker API** allows for more natural conversations and dialogues. \\n- V3 isn’t real-time yet, but older V2.5 Turbo models are recommended for now. \\n- Currently offering **80% off self-serve plans** through June 2025.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 🤖 AI Agents: Runner H by H Company\\n\\n**Runner H** is making waves with an AI agent that actually performs tasks on the web. \\n- Powered by **Hollow1**, a 3B parameter visual language model. \\n- Understands layout of webpages — **clicks buttons, fills forms, books travel**. \\n- Outperforms competitors in the **WebVoyager benchmark** with 67% success. \\n- Works across platforms: Gmail, Notion, Slack, Zapier, etc. \\n- In **public beta** and free to try now.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 🎬 AI Video Is Exploding\\n\\nThree distinct approaches to AI video are gaining traction:\\n\\n### 1. **Google DeepMind V3** \\n- Generates high-quality short videos from text or images. \\n- Includes **integrated audio**, character consistency, and camera control. \\n- Now in **Leonardo.ai** and **Gemini app**, available in **73 countries**.\\n\\n### 2. **Mirage Studio (Captions AI)** \\n- Builds **hyper-realistic AI actors** from text prompts or reference images. \\n- Focused on **marketing content** — promises to cut production time by 90%.\\n\\n### 3. **HeyGen AI Studio** \\n- Built for **fine-grained control** over AI avatars and video editing. \\n- Features **voice mirroring**, **gesture mapping**, and **natural language performance direction**. \\n- Launched with their most lifelike avatar yet.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 🧠 AI Platforms Go Deeper\\n\\n### Google Gemini 2.5 Pro \\n- Now leads on the **WebDev Arena leaderboard** for building apps from prompts. \\n- New **“thinking budgets”** allow developers to control compute usage and cost. \\n- Available through **Google AI Studio** and **Vertex AI**.\\n\\n### OpenAI’s Enterprise Push \\n- Launching **ChatGPT Connectors** to access **private company data** from tools like Google Drive, SharePoint, Dropbox, and Box. \\n- Strict permission controls ensure data security. \\n- Pushing ChatGPT as a **central knowledge hub** for organizations. \\n- Also teased **deep research connectors** for more autonomous use cases.\\n\\n---\\n\\n## 🔍 The Big Picture\\n\\nThe thread running through all these updates? \\nAI is moving from impressive demos to **integrated, usable, daily tools** — across voice, automation, video, and knowledge.\\n\\nThe question isn’t whether AI will impact how we work and create — it’s how fast it will change everything.\\n\\n---\\n\\n### 💡 What to Watch:\\n- Who dominates the AI voice space in pro markets?\\n- Will Runner H trigger a wave of agent-based startups?\\n- Is AI video ready to replace actors or just augment workflows?\\n- Can OpenAI and Google become the central nervous systems for companies?\\n\\n---\\n\\nStay tuned for more weekly drops as the AI race keeps accelerating.",{"title":2160,"description":2498},"ai-news-update-june-20","en/insights/ai-news-june-20","This week in AI: major leaps in voice synthesis, intelligent agents, AI-generated video, and enterprise-grade AI integration. Practical. Powerful. Already here.",[2508,2509,2510],"ai","agents","video-generation","uta2-QuI8fmqekPBWQUYdDxIynehOEErJxwzDkWi8xk",{"id":2513,"title":2514,"body":2515,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":2558,"extension":224,"faqs":2559,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":2566,"locale":225,"meta":2567,"navigation":228,"path":2568,"rawbody":2569,"seo":2570,"slug":2571,"stem":2572,"summary":2558,"tags":2573,"tts":228,"__hash__":2577},"blog/en/insights/android-15.md","Android 15 Developer Preview Released with New Privacy Features",{"type":10,"value":2516,"toc":2554},[2517,2520,2523,2529,2544,2548],[415,2518,2514],{"id":2519},"android-15-developer-preview-released-with-new-privacy-features",[16,2521,2522],{},"Google has released the first developer preview of Android 15, featuring new privacy enhancements, performance boosts, and UI refinements.",[2524,2525,2526],"split-paragraph",{},[16,2527,2528],{},"Android 15 introduces a \"Private Space\" feature allowing users to hide apps and data behind biometric authentication. It also includes new APIs for on-device machine learning, aiming to enhance AI-powered features while preserving user privacy.",[2530,2531,2533,2536,2538,2540,2542],"split-image-paragraph",{"image":2532},"https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcuMc5DPA96Z7l0rt1EUWFlg2irpLI0AirXA&s",[16,2534,2535],{},"The update comes with Material You 2.0 design tweaks and smoother animations, creating a more intuitive experience. Developers are encouraged to explore new SDK tools and system-level improvements aimed at foldables and tablets.",[16,2537,2535],{},[16,2539,2535],{},[16,2541,2535],{},[16,2543,2535],{},[91,2545,2547],{"id":2546},"whats-new-for-developers","What's New for Developers?",[1262,2549],{"image1":2550,"image2":2551,"image3":2552,"image4":2553},"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1559163499-413811fb2344","https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/services/consulting/technology/2024/image/tech-powered-hero-frame.jpeg","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1531482615713-2afd69097998","https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/5652e6e97255a2200ec08c4c734585a35b389e50/2024/05/13/8443ce52-215b-4bbc-b07a-6bdebcc7a19d/dsc00498.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2555},[2556],{"id":2546,"depth":217,"text":2547},"2025-05-28","Google launches Android 15 developer preview with privacy and performance upgrades.",[2560,2563],{"question":2561,"answer":2562},"What new features does Android 15 include?","Android 15 introduces a range of improvements focused on privacy, performance, and user customization. Notable additions include the introduction of Private Space, a secure area where users can hide apps and protect them with separate authentication.",{"question":2564,"answer":2565},"When will my device receive the Android 15 update?","The timing of the Android 15 update depends on your device and manufacturer. Google Pixel phones typically receive major Android updates first, and Android 15 is expected to reach eligible Pixel models before the end of 2024.","https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PhGvotQFAgbTLQMpk52Hga.jpg",{},"/en/insights/android-15","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Android 15 Developer Preview Released with New Privacy Features\"\\ndescription: \"Google launches Android 15 developer preview with privacy and performance upgrades.\"\\nsummary: \"Google launches Android 15 developer preview with privacy and performance upgrades.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: android-15-developer-preview\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PhGvotQFAgbTLQMpk52Hga.jpg\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ntags: [\"tech\", \"android\", \"privacy\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\nfaqs:\\n - question: \"What new features does Android 15 include?\"\\n answer: \"Android 15 introduces a range of improvements focused on privacy, performance, and user customization. Notable additions include the introduction of Private Space, a secure area where users can hide apps and protect them with separate authentication.\"\\n - question: \"When will my device receive the Android 15 update?\"\\n answer: \"The timing of the Android 15 update depends on your device and manufacturer. Google Pixel phones typically receive major Android updates first, and Android 15 is expected to reach eligible Pixel models before the end of 2024.\"\\n---\\n\\n# Android 15 Developer Preview Released with New Privacy Features\\n\\nGoogle has released the first developer preview of Android 15, featuring new privacy enhancements, performance boosts, and UI refinements.\\n\\n::split-paragraph\\nAndroid 15 introduces a \"Private Space\" feature allowing users to hide apps and data behind biometric authentication. It also includes new APIs for on-device machine learning, aiming to enhance AI-powered features while preserving user privacy.\\n::\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcuMc5DPA96Z7l0rt1EUWFlg2irpLI0AirXA&s\"}\\nThe update comes with Material You 2.0 design tweaks and smoother animations, creating a more intuitive experience. Developers are encouraged to explore new SDK tools and system-level improvements aimed at foldables and tablets.\\n\\nThe update comes with Material You 2.0 design tweaks and smoother animations, creating a more intuitive experience. Developers are encouraged to explore new SDK tools and system-level improvements aimed at foldables and tablets.\\n\\nThe update comes with Material You 2.0 design tweaks and smoother animations, creating a more intuitive experience. Developers are encouraged to explore new SDK tools and system-level improvements aimed at foldables and tablets.\\n\\nThe update comes with Material You 2.0 design tweaks and smoother animations, creating a more intuitive experience. Developers are encouraged to explore new SDK tools and system-level improvements aimed at foldables and tablets.\\n\\nThe update comes with Material You 2.0 design tweaks and smoother animations, creating a more intuitive experience. Developers are encouraged to explore new SDK tools and system-level improvements aimed at foldables and tablets.\\n::\\n\\n## What's New for Developers?\\n\\n::images-bento\\n---\\nimage1: \"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1559163499-413811fb2344\"\\nimage2: \"https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/services/consulting/technology/2024/image/tech-powered-hero-frame.jpeg\"\\nimage3: \"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1531482615713-2afd69097998\"\\nimage4: \"https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/5652e6e97255a2200ec08c4c734585a35b389e50/2024/05/13/8443ce52-215b-4bbc-b07a-6bdebcc7a19d/dsc00498.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280\"\\n---\\n::\\n",{"title":2514,"description":2558},"android-15-developer-preview","en/insights/android-15",[2574,2575,2576],"tech","android","privacy","9dKH_ROFAY9w0yAv8nLC-ysk4XLc0g_qVOzbXPpfckI",{"id":2579,"title":2580,"body":2581,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":2608,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":2609,"locale":225,"meta":2610,"navigation":228,"path":2611,"rawbody":2612,"seo":2613,"slug":2614,"stem":2615,"summary":2608,"tags":2616,"tts":228,"__hash__":2619},"blog/en/insights/apple-ai-copilot-ios19.md","Apple Rumored to Integrate AI Copilot in iOS 19",{"type":10,"value":2582,"toc":2605},[2583,2586,2589,2595,2599],[415,2584,2580],{"id":2585},"apple-rumored-to-integrate-ai-copilot-in-ios-19",[16,2587,2588],{},"Leaked internal documents suggest Apple may introduce a native AI assistant, dubbed \"Copilot,\" in iOS 19 later this year. Apple is reportedly working on a new AI integration across its operating systems. The \"Copilot\" feature aims to assist with tasks such as writing emails, scheduling meetings, and summarizing long texts.",[2530,2590,2592],{"image":2591},"https://www.kameleoon.com/sites/default/files/2024-03/thumbnail_720x460_2.svg",[16,2593,2594],{},"Copilot is expected to appear in beta form during WWDC 2025. Apple has reportedly been developing the AI system in parallel with its Neural Engine upgrades. Copilot is expected to appear in beta form during WWDC 2025. Apple has reportedly been developing the AI system in parallel with its Neural Engine upgrades. Copilot is expected to appear in beta form during WWDC 2025. Apple has reportedly been developing the AI system in parallel with its Neural Engine upgrades..",[91,2596,2598],{"id":2597},"reinventing-the-smart-assistant","Reinventing the Smart Assistant",[1262,2600],{"image1":2601,"image2":2602,"image3":2603,"image4":2604},"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1511707171634-5f897ff02aa9","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1603791440384-56cd371ee9a7","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1527443154391-507e9dc6c5cc","https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTeQ-dUgiOwglno3h3zMhgkYhnqg3diOy9n2g&s",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2606},[2607],{"id":2597,"depth":217,"text":2598},"Leaks suggest Apple will unveil an AI Copilot in iOS 19 during WWDC 2025.","https://media.wired.com/photos/66f6e7c78af4eb900c2450f1/4:3/w_2000,h_1500,c_limit/Microsoft-Copilot-AI-Business-2WEED0T.jpg",{},"/en/insights/apple-ai-copilot-ios19","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Apple Rumored to Integrate AI Copilot in iOS 19\"\\ndescription: \"Leaks suggest Apple will unveil an AI Copilot in iOS 19 during WWDC 2025.\"\\nsummary: \"Leaks suggest Apple will unveil an AI Copilot in iOS 19 during WWDC 2025.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: apple-ai-copilot-ios19\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://media.wired.com/photos/66f6e7c78af4eb900c2450f1/4:3/w_2000,h_1500,c_limit/Microsoft-Copilot-AI-Business-2WEED0T.jpg\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ntags: [\"tech\", \"apple\", \"AI\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Apple Rumored to Integrate AI Copilot in iOS 19\\n\\nLeaked internal documents suggest Apple may introduce a native AI assistant, dubbed \"Copilot,\" in iOS 19 later this year. Apple is reportedly working on a new AI integration across its operating systems. The \"Copilot\" feature aims to assist with tasks such as writing emails, scheduling meetings, and summarizing long texts.\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://www.kameleoon.com/sites/default/files/2024-03/thumbnail_720x460_2.svg\"}\\nCopilot is expected to appear in beta form during WWDC 2025. Apple has reportedly been developing the AI system in parallel with its Neural Engine upgrades. Copilot is expected to appear in beta form during WWDC 2025. Apple has reportedly been developing the AI system in parallel with its Neural Engine upgrades. Copilot is expected to appear in beta form during WWDC 2025. Apple has reportedly been developing the AI system in parallel with its Neural Engine upgrades..\\n::\\n\\n## Reinventing the Smart Assistant\\n\\n::images-bento\\n---\\nimage1: \"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1511707171634-5f897ff02aa9\"\\nimage2: \"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1603791440384-56cd371ee9a7\"\\nimage3: \"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1527443154391-507e9dc6c5cc\"\\nimage4: \"https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTeQ-dUgiOwglno3h3zMhgkYhnqg3diOy9n2g&s\"\\n---\\n::\\n",{"title":2580,"description":2608},"apple-ai-copilot-ios19","en/insights/apple-ai-copilot-ios19",[2574,2617,2618],"apple","AI","hQjKcMJhsI0VGGpItcuoylaaFLPGxCS6rS7BpMLwT4s",{"id":2621,"title":2622,"body":2623,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2859,"description":2860,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":4,"locale":225,"meta":2861,"navigation":228,"path":2862,"rawbody":2863,"seo":2864,"slug":2865,"stem":2866,"summary":2860,"tags":2867,"tts":228,"__hash__":2868},"blog/en/insights/best-of-brands-agencies-denim-wars-ceo-exits-sports-marketing-and-bankruptcy-fears.md","Best of Brands + Agencies: Denim wars, CEO exits, Sports Marketing, and Bankruptcy fears",{"type":10,"value":2624,"toc":2847},[2625,2629,2686,2688,2691,2694,2697,2703,2709,2717,2720,2725,2730,2741,2744,2749,2758,2761,2764,2769,2774,2780,2783,2788,2793,2796,2799,2804,2809,2816,2819,2824,2829,2832,2835,2838,2841],[91,2626,2628],{"id":2627},"table-of-contents","Table of Contents",[2630,2631,2632,2638,2644,2650,2656,2662,2668,2674,2680],"ol",{},[268,2633,2634],{},[793,2635,2637],{"href":2636},"#section1","The Big Picture",[268,2639,2640],{},[793,2641,2643],{"href":2642},"#section2","Fashion & Retail",[268,2645,2646],{},[793,2647,2649],{"href":2648},"#section3","Best of Campaigns",[268,2651,2652],{},[793,2653,2655],{"href":2654},"#section4","U.S. Open Marketing",[268,2657,2658],{},[793,2659,2661],{"href":2660},"#section5","College Football Marketing",[268,2663,2664],{},[793,2665,2667],{"href":2666},"#section6","Denim & Fashion",[268,2669,2670],{},[793,2671,2673],{"href":2672},"#section7","Food & Beverage",[268,2675,2676],{},[793,2677,2679],{"href":2678},"#section8","Agency & People News",[268,2681,2682],{},[793,2683,2685],{"href":2684},"#section9","What I'm Watching Next",[91,2687,2637],{"id":2436},[16,2689,2690],{},"This week's signal amidst the noise is one of bifurcation. On one end, you have legacy brands and retailers struggling with outdated models, facing bankruptcies (SSENSE, Claire's) and costly restructuring. On the other, you see hyper-focused challenger brands (Vacation Inc.) and savvy incumbents (Gap, Nike) winning by creating tangible experiences and mastering niche audiences.",[16,2692,2693],{},"The throughline is a flight to quality—not just in product, but in customer relationships. Brands that are simply renting attention from social platforms are fragile. Those building a direct, defensible connection with their audience are the ones with pricing power and resilience. The busy founders and builders who grasp this distinction are the ones who will own the next decade.",[91,2695,2643],{"id":2696},"fashion-retail",[16,2698,2699,2702],{},[19,2700,2701],{},"The \"What\":"," Online luxury retailer SSENSE has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing pressure from tariffs. K-pop group KATSEYE's campaign for Gap continues to gain traction with a pop-up soundstage activation. Pop Mart's new mini labubu doll sold out instantly in China. In acquisitions and consolidations, Keurig Dr Pepper is set to buy Peet's Coffee owner for $18 billion and then split into two entities, while Coca-Cola is considering a £2bn sale of Costa Coffee. In a branding reversal, Cracker Barrel's shares rose after it abandoned a controversial new logo. Jewelry chain Claire's is closing 290 locations amid bankruptcy. Finally, Nike announced it will cut less than 1% of its corporate staff in a restructuring move.",[16,2704,2705,2708],{},[19,2706,2707],{},"My Take:"," This is a clear illustration of the market punishing undifferentiated middlemen while rewarding brands that create unique cultural moments. SSENSE's bankruptcy is a warning shot for any business whose primary value proposition is aggregation. Without a unique product or a deeply-owned audience, you are a commodity at the mercy of economic headwinds like tariffs.",[16,2710,2711,2712],{},"Contrast that with Gap's execution. They aren't just running ads for KATSEYE; they're building a physical destination—a \"pop-up soundstage.\" This is smart. It turns passive viewers into active participants and generates second-order effects through user-generated content. For an SMB owner, the lesson isn't to hire a K-pop group; it's to think about how you can create a physical, memorable touchpoint for your brand. That's how you build a real, reachable audience that isn't dependent on an algorithm. ",[793,2713,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":2715},"https://www.alenmalkoc.com",[797],"Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.",[91,2718,2649],{"id":2719},"best-of-campaigns",[16,2721,2722,2724],{},[19,2723,2701],{}," A wide range of campaigns launched this week. Activision and 72andSunny created a multi-platform stunt for 'The Guild.' American Eagle collaborated with Travis Kelce's Tru Kolors. Stone Island's new campaign involved swimming with sharks. Fanta embraced \"Summerween\" by featuring Chucky and ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ on new sodas. Tinder launched a “Crush Feelings” campaign, Spotify celebrated fan rituals, and Halo Top used ambiguous AI-or-not visuals. Serena Williams went public with her GLP-1 use in a campaign for Ro to normalize weight-loss drugs. Under Armour's new gritty ad urges athletes to 'be the problem,' while Disney's princess campaign focused on family connections.",[16,2726,2727,2729],{},[19,2728,2707],{}," The most effective campaigns here share a common trait: they are built on a sharp, pre-existing cultural insight. Ro leveraging Serena Williams to tackle the GLP-1 conversation isn't just a celebrity endorsement; it's a strategic move to destigmatize a product category by anchoring it to a personality known for strength and discipline. It's a chess move designed to pre-emptively shape the public narrative.",[16,2731,2732,2733,2736,2737,2740],{},"For founders, the takeaway is to stop thinking about campaigns as a way to ",[82,2734,2735],{},"create"," a conversation and start thinking of them as a way to ",[82,2738,2739],{},"plug into"," an existing one. Under Armour's \"be the problem\" understands the mindset of the hyper-competitive athlete. Fanta's \"Summerween\" hijacks an emerging, fan-driven trend. Your budget is finite. Don't waste it trying to start a fire; find the embers that are already glowing and pour your fuel there.",[91,2742,2655],{"id":2743},"us-open-marketing",[16,2745,2746,2748],{},[19,2747,2701],{}," The U.S. Open has become a major platform for brand activations. Lacoste celebrated Novak Djokovic by changing its crocodile logo to a goat. Ralph Lauren hosted an exclusive hospitality suite. Athletes sported custom kits, including Naomi Osaka (Nike), Venus Williams (Khaite), and Coco Gauff (New Balance). Other brands activating at the event include Grey Goose (with Frances Tiafoe), Aperol, Vuori (partnering with Jack Draper), and Lexus, which created a \"signature shot machine.\" The event's food offerings also made news with a \"$100 caviar chicken nugget.\"",[16,2750,2751,2753,2754,2757],{},[19,2752,2707],{}," The U.S. Open is a microcosm of modern marketing strategy: it's not one audience, but a collection of distinct, high-value niches. You have the luxury segment targeted by Ralph Lauren and Khaite, where the goal is reinforcing brand status. You have performance-wear brands like Nike and Vuori using athletes as proof-points for product credibility. And you have lifestyle brands like Aperol and Grey Goose selling the ",[82,2755,2756],{},"experience"," of the event itself.",[16,2759,2760],{},"The strategist's question is always: \"What job is this marketing activation being hired to do?\" For Lexus, the \"shot machine\" generates social buzz and associates the brand with precision engineering. For Lacoste, the \"goat\" logo is a clever, insider nod to the tennis community that builds cultural capital. They aren't just \"sponsoring the U.S. Open.\" They are executing precise strategies aimed at specific sub-groups within the event's ecosystem. That's a playbook any business can learn from.",[91,2762,2661],{"id":2763},"college-football-marketing",[16,2765,2766,2768],{},[19,2767,2701],{}," Brands are ramping up for the college football season. Bud Light launched a campaign featuring comedian Shane Gillis. Celsius is building on its existing brand work by targeting the college football audience. Dr Pepper’s ‘Fansville’ campaign is crossing over with Nissan’s ‘Heisman House.’ Other notable activations include SONIC's campaign with Terry Crews, Little Caesars' NFL marketing push, and DoorDash’s gamified rewards program. Stanley 1913 partnered with Caitlin Clark, and the NFL announced Abercrombie & Fitch as an official fashion partner.",[16,2770,2771,2773],{},[19,2772,2707],{}," The key shift in sports marketing, especially around college football, is the move from passive brand awareness to active community integration. The partnership between the NFL and Abercrombie & Fitch is a perfect example. This isn't just about slapping a logo on a T-shirt; it's a strategic play to capture a specific demographic—the younger, style-conscious fan—and make the league a part of their identity outside of game day.",[16,2775,2776,2777],{},"Similarly, Dr Pepper and Nissan merging their campaign universes is a savvy move to increase the cognitive availability of both brands. For the SMB owner, the lesson is about partnerships. Who else is talking to your audience? How can you create a 1+1=3 scenario where you combine your reach and relevance? You don't need a massive TV budget, but you do need the strategic foresight to identify complementary partners who can help you own a bigger piece of your customer's mind. ",[793,2778,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":2779},[797],[91,2781,2667],{"id":2782},"denim-fashion",[16,2784,2785,2787],{},[19,2786,2701],{}," Celebrity collaborations and high-fashion campaigns were prominent. Levi's launched a post-Beyoncé campaign with Shaboozey and Matty Matheson. Addison Rae collaborated with Lucky Brand on a low-rise jean. Paris Hilton is the face of a new Karl Lagerfeld campaign. Tilda Swinton is featured in campaigns for both Gentle Monster and Tom Ford. Other notable news includes Post Malone's campaign for Skims, Maison Margiela tapping Miley Cyrus for its first-ever celebrity campaign, and Louis Vuitton launching a $160 lipstick.",[16,2789,2790,2792],{},[19,2791,2707],{}," There are two distinct plays happening here. First is the \"cultural validation\" play, where an established brand like Levi's uses artists like Shaboozey to signal its continued relevance. This is about maintaining market position. The second, more interesting play is the \"niche arbitrage\" seen with Addison Rae and Lucky Brand. They are betting on the resurgence of a very specific Y2K trend (low-rise jeans) with a creator who has a direct line to the audience that drives that trend.",[16,2794,2795],{},"For a builder, the Addison Rae model is more instructive. It's not about the celebrity; it's about the precision. They identified a specific product for a specific audience delivered by a specific messenger. That level of focus de-risks a product launch significantly. Louis Vuitton's $160 lipstick is a bet on the other end of the spectrum—that their brand equity is so strong they can command extreme pricing power. Most businesses aren't Louis Vuitton. Be Addison Rae. Be specific, be focused, and own your niche.",[91,2797,2673],{"id":2798},"food-beverage",[16,2800,2801,2803],{},[19,2802,2701],{}," The food and beverage sector saw a flurry of activity. BrewDog Co-Founder Martin Dickie stepped down. PepsiCo increased its stake in Celsius. Liquid Death partnered with the Toxic Avenger for a faux PSA, while Liquid I.V. launched its own sugar-free energy drink and a billboard campaign. Danone is suing Chobani over a cold brew coffee slogan. In fast food, Pizza Hut announced a major global product launch, McDonald's is cutting combo prices, and Blue Apron is scrapping its meal-kit subscription model. Starbucks brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte, signaling the unofficial start of fall.",[16,2805,2806,2808],{},[19,2807,2707],{}," The dynamics in this sector are all about distribution channels and brand permission. Blue Apron's failure with its subscription model is a classic case of a high-friction business model in a low-margin category. The logistics are a nightmare, and customer lifetime value is notoriously difficult to maintain. They are wisely pivoting away from a model that was bleeding cash.",[16,2810,2811,2812,2815],{},"Meanwhile, PepsiCo doubling down on Celsius shows the power of having a dominant distribution network. They can take a trending product and plug it into their global machine, achieving scale almost overnight. For the small brand, the chess move is not to compete on scale, but on differentiation. Liquid Death isn't just selling water; it's selling an identity. They built a powerful, owned media presence ",[82,2813,2814],{},"first",", which then gave them permission to extend into new categories. They built the reachable audience, then sold them the product. That is the new playbook.",[91,2817,2679],{"id":2818},"agency-people-news",[16,2820,2821,2823],{},[19,2822,2701],{}," There was significant movement in the agency world. Steve Hayden, the adman behind Apple's iconic '1984' commercial, passed away at 78. WPP's COO Andrew Scott is set to depart, and new UK & Ireland CEO Cindy Rose acknowledged the challenges ahead. On the M&A front, Accenture Song acquired social agency Superdigital, Connelly Partners acquired MMB, and Gravity Global acquired Marketing Doctor. DM9 is facing a lawsuit from a US senator over an AI-manipulated Cannes entry, deepening the controversy.",[16,2825,2826,2828],{},[19,2827,2707],{}," The agency landscape is in a state of flux, caught between consolidation and specialization. The big holding companies like WPP are navigating leadership changes and acknowledging structural challenges, while firms like Accenture Song continue to acquire specialized capabilities to build their end-to-end offerings. This is the macro trend: the slow, painful integration of creative, data, and technology.",[16,2830,2831],{},"The lawsuit against Omnicom/DM9 is a critical signal for the entire industry. The use of AI in creative work is moving from a theoretical discussion to a legal and ethical minefield. For any business owner or marketing leader, this means your diligence on agency partners has to increase tenfold. You're not just buying creative anymore; you're buying their process, their ethics, and their legal risk profile. The conversation about AI has to move from the creative department to the general counsel's office, immediately.",[91,2833,2685],{"id":2834},"what-im-watching-next",[16,2836,2837],{},"Two major signals are emerging that will define the next 18 months.",[16,2839,2840],{},"First, the bifurcation between brands building owned, reachable audiences and those still renting attention is becoming a chasm. I'm watching to see which \"DTC 2.0\" brands successfully blend content, community, and commerce into a defensible moat. The moves by Gap and even small brands like Vacation Inc. show that physical activations are becoming a key way to build that direct relationship, pulling customers out of the feed and into a world you control.",[16,2842,2843,2844],{},"Second, the agency world is facing a talent and identity crisis. As clients like T-Mobile take more work in-house and holding companies consolidate, the mid-sized, undifferentiated agency is getting squeezed. I'm watching for the rise of the \"strike team\" model—small, elite, tech-savvy agencies that integrate directly with a client's team to solve a specific problem, rather than being a full-service vendor. The pressure is on, and the models that emerge from this period of instability will dictate where marketing talent flows for the rest of the decade. ",[793,2845,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":2846},[797],{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":2848},[2849,2850,2851,2852,2853,2854,2855,2856,2857,2858],{"id":2627,"depth":217,"text":2628},{"id":2436,"depth":217,"text":2637},{"id":2696,"depth":217,"text":2643},{"id":2719,"depth":217,"text":2649},{"id":2743,"depth":217,"text":2655},{"id":2763,"depth":217,"text":2661},{"id":2782,"depth":217,"text":2667},{"id":2798,"depth":217,"text":2673},{"id":2818,"depth":217,"text":2679},{"id":2834,"depth":217,"text":2685},"2025-09-01","Explore winning brand strategy from Nike, Gap & more. We analyze the latest in sports marketing, retail bankruptcies, and key campaign takeaways. Get insights now.",{},"/en/insights/best-of-brands-agencies-denim-wars-ceo-exits-sports-marketing-and-bankruptcy-fears","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Best of Brands + Agencies: Denim wars, CEO exits, Sports Marketing, and Bankruptcy fears\"\\ndescription: \"Explore winning brand strategy from Nike, Gap & more. We analyze the latest in sports marketing, retail bankruptcies, and key campaign takeaways. Get insights now.\"\\nsummary: \"Explore winning brand strategy from Nike, Gap & more. We analyze the latest in sports marketing, retail bankruptcies, and key campaign takeaways. Get insights now.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: best-of-brands-agencies-denim-wars-ceo-exits-sports-marketing-and-bankruptcy-fears\\ndate: 2025-09-01\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n## Table of Contents\\n\\n1. [The Big Picture](#section1)\\n2. [Fashion & Retail](#section2)\\n3. [Best of Campaigns](#section3)\\n4. [U.S. Open Marketing](#section4)\\n5. [College Football Marketing](#section5)\\n6. [Denim & Fashion](#section6)\\n7. [Food & Beverage](#section7)\\n8. [Agency & People News](#section8)\\n9. [What I'm Watching Next](#section9)\\n\\n## The Big Picture\\n\\nThis week's signal amidst the noise is one of bifurcation. On one end, you have legacy brands and retailers struggling with outdated models, facing bankruptcies (SSENSE, Claire's) and costly restructuring. On the other, you see hyper-focused challenger brands (Vacation Inc.) and savvy incumbents (Gap, Nike) winning by creating tangible experiences and mastering niche audiences.\\n\\nThe throughline is a flight to quality—not just in product, but in customer relationships. Brands that are simply renting attention from social platforms are fragile. Those building a direct, defensible connection with their audience are the ones with pricing power and resilience. The busy founders and builders who grasp this distinction are the ones who will own the next decade.\\n\\n## Fashion & Retail\\n\\n**The \"What\":** Online luxury retailer SSENSE has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing pressure from tariffs. K-pop group KATSEYE's campaign for Gap continues to gain traction with a pop-up soundstage activation. Pop Mart's new mini labubu doll sold out instantly in China. In acquisitions and consolidations, Keurig Dr Pepper is set to buy Peet's Coffee owner for $18 billion and then split into two entities, while Coca-Cola is considering a £2bn sale of Costa Coffee. In a branding reversal, Cracker Barrel's shares rose after it abandoned a controversial new logo. Jewelry chain Claire's is closing 290 locations amid bankruptcy. Finally, Nike announced it will cut less than 1% of its corporate staff in a restructuring move.\\n\\n**My Take:** This is a clear illustration of the market punishing undifferentiated middlemen while rewarding brands that create unique cultural moments. SSENSE's bankruptcy is a warning shot for any business whose primary value proposition is aggregation. Without a unique product or a deeply-owned audience, you are a commodity at the mercy of economic headwinds like tariffs.\\n\\nContrast that with Gap's execution. They aren't just running ads for KATSEYE; they're building a physical destination—a \"pop-up soundstage.\" This is smart. It turns passive viewers into active participants and generates second-order effects through user-generated content. For an SMB owner, the lesson isn't to hire a K-pop group; it's to think about how you can create a physical, memorable touchpoint for your brand. That's how you build a real, reachable audience that isn't dependent on an algorithm. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## Best of Campaigns\\n\\n**The \"What\":** A wide range of campaigns launched this week. Activision and 72andSunny created a multi-platform stunt for 'The Guild.' American Eagle collaborated with Travis Kelce's Tru Kolors. Stone Island's new campaign involved swimming with sharks. Fanta embraced \"Summerween\" by featuring Chucky and ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ on new sodas. Tinder launched a “Crush Feelings” campaign, Spotify celebrated fan rituals, and Halo Top used ambiguous AI-or-not visuals. Serena Williams went public with her GLP-1 use in a campaign for Ro to normalize weight-loss drugs. Under Armour's new gritty ad urges athletes to 'be the problem,' while Disney's princess campaign focused on family connections.\\n\\n**My Take:** The most effective campaigns here share a common trait: they are built on a sharp, pre-existing cultural insight. Ro leveraging Serena Williams to tackle the GLP-1 conversation isn't just a celebrity endorsement; it's a strategic move to destigmatize a product category by anchoring it to a personality known for strength and discipline. It's a chess move designed to pre-emptively shape the public narrative.\\n\\nFor founders, the takeaway is to stop thinking about campaigns as a way to *create* a conversation and start thinking of them as a way to *plug into* an existing one. Under Armour's \"be the problem\" understands the mindset of the hyper-competitive athlete. Fanta's \"Summerween\" hijacks an emerging, fan-driven trend. Your budget is finite. Don't waste it trying to start a fire; find the embers that are already glowing and pour your fuel there.\\n\\n## U.S. Open Marketing\\n\\n**The \"What\":** The U.S. Open has become a major platform for brand activations. Lacoste celebrated Novak Djokovic by changing its crocodile logo to a goat. Ralph Lauren hosted an exclusive hospitality suite. Athletes sported custom kits, including Naomi Osaka (Nike), Venus Williams (Khaite), and Coco Gauff (New Balance). Other brands activating at the event include Grey Goose (with Frances Tiafoe), Aperol, Vuori (partnering with Jack Draper), and Lexus, which created a \"signature shot machine.\" The event's food offerings also made news with a \"$100 caviar chicken nugget.\"\\n\\n**My Take:** The U.S. Open is a microcosm of modern marketing strategy: it's not one audience, but a collection of distinct, high-value niches. You have the luxury segment targeted by Ralph Lauren and Khaite, where the goal is reinforcing brand status. You have performance-wear brands like Nike and Vuori using athletes as proof-points for product credibility. And you have lifestyle brands like Aperol and Grey Goose selling the *experience* of the event itself.\\n\\nThe strategist's question is always: \"What job is this marketing activation being hired to do?\" For Lexus, the \"shot machine\" generates social buzz and associates the brand with precision engineering. For Lacoste, the \"goat\" logo is a clever, insider nod to the tennis community that builds cultural capital. They aren't just \"sponsoring the U.S. Open.\" They are executing precise strategies aimed at specific sub-groups within the event's ecosystem. That's a playbook any business can learn from.\\n\\n## College Football Marketing\\n\\n**The \"What\":** Brands are ramping up for the college football season. Bud Light launched a campaign featuring comedian Shane Gillis. Celsius is building on its existing brand work by targeting the college football audience. Dr Pepper’s ‘Fansville’ campaign is crossing over with Nissan’s ‘Heisman House.’ Other notable activations include SONIC's campaign with Terry Crews, Little Caesars' NFL marketing push, and DoorDash’s gamified rewards program. Stanley 1913 partnered with Caitlin Clark, and the NFL announced Abercrombie & Fitch as an official fashion partner.\\n\\n**My Take:** The key shift in sports marketing, especially around college football, is the move from passive brand awareness to active community integration. The partnership between the NFL and Abercrombie & Fitch is a perfect example. This isn't just about slapping a logo on a T-shirt; it's a strategic play to capture a specific demographic—the younger, style-conscious fan—and make the league a part of their identity outside of game day.\\n\\nSimilarly, Dr Pepper and Nissan merging their campaign universes is a savvy move to increase the cognitive availability of both brands. For the SMB owner, the lesson is about partnerships. Who else is talking to your audience? How can you create a 1+1=3 scenario where you combine your reach and relevance? You don't need a massive TV budget, but you do need the strategic foresight to identify complementary partners who can help you own a bigger piece of your customer's mind. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## Denim & Fashion\\n\\n**The \"What\":** Celebrity collaborations and high-fashion campaigns were prominent. Levi's launched a post-Beyoncé campaign with Shaboozey and Matty Matheson. Addison Rae collaborated with Lucky Brand on a low-rise jean. Paris Hilton is the face of a new Karl Lagerfeld campaign. Tilda Swinton is featured in campaigns for both Gentle Monster and Tom Ford. Other notable news includes Post Malone's campaign for Skims, Maison Margiela tapping Miley Cyrus for its first-ever celebrity campaign, and Louis Vuitton launching a $160 lipstick.\\n\\n**My Take:** There are two distinct plays happening here. First is the \"cultural validation\" play, where an established brand like Levi's uses artists like Shaboozey to signal its continued relevance. This is about maintaining market position. The second, more interesting play is the \"niche arbitrage\" seen with Addison Rae and Lucky Brand. They are betting on the resurgence of a very specific Y2K trend (low-rise jeans) with a creator who has a direct line to the audience that drives that trend.\\n\\nFor a builder, the Addison Rae model is more instructive. It's not about the celebrity; it's about the precision. They identified a specific product for a specific audience delivered by a specific messenger. That level of focus de-risks a product launch significantly. Louis Vuitton's $160 lipstick is a bet on the other end of the spectrum—that their brand equity is so strong they can command extreme pricing power. Most businesses aren't Louis Vuitton. Be Addison Rae. Be specific, be focused, and own your niche.\\n\\n## Food & Beverage\\n\\n**The \"What\":** The food and beverage sector saw a flurry of activity. BrewDog Co-Founder Martin Dickie stepped down. PepsiCo increased its stake in Celsius. Liquid Death partnered with the Toxic Avenger for a faux PSA, while Liquid I.V. launched its own sugar-free energy drink and a billboard campaign. Danone is suing Chobani over a cold brew coffee slogan. In fast food, Pizza Hut announced a major global product launch, McDonald's is cutting combo prices, and Blue Apron is scrapping its meal-kit subscription model. Starbucks brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte, signaling the unofficial start of fall.\\n\\n**My Take:** The dynamics in this sector are all about distribution channels and brand permission. Blue Apron's failure with its subscription model is a classic case of a high-friction business model in a low-margin category. The logistics are a nightmare, and customer lifetime value is notoriously difficult to maintain. They are wisely pivoting away from a model that was bleeding cash.\\n\\nMeanwhile, PepsiCo doubling down on Celsius shows the power of having a dominant distribution network. They can take a trending product and plug it into their global machine, achieving scale almost overnight. For the small brand, the chess move is not to compete on scale, but on differentiation. Liquid Death isn't just selling water; it's selling an identity. They built a powerful, owned media presence *first*, which then gave them permission to extend into new categories. They built the reachable audience, then sold them the product. That is the new playbook.\\n\\n## Agency & People News\\n\\n**The \"What\":** There was significant movement in the agency world. Steve Hayden, the adman behind Apple's iconic '1984' commercial, passed away at 78. WPP's COO Andrew Scott is set to depart, and new UK & Ireland CEO Cindy Rose acknowledged the challenges ahead. On the M&A front, Accenture Song acquired social agency Superdigital, Connelly Partners acquired MMB, and Gravity Global acquired Marketing Doctor. DM9 is facing a lawsuit from a US senator over an AI-manipulated Cannes entry, deepening the controversy.\\n\\n**My Take:** The agency landscape is in a state of flux, caught between consolidation and specialization. The big holding companies like WPP are navigating leadership changes and acknowledging structural challenges, while firms like Accenture Song continue to acquire specialized capabilities to build their end-to-end offerings. This is the macro trend: the slow, painful integration of creative, data, and technology.\\n\\nThe lawsuit against Omnicom/DM9 is a critical signal for the entire industry. The use of AI in creative work is moving from a theoretical discussion to a legal and ethical minefield. For any business owner or marketing leader, this means your diligence on agency partners has to increase tenfold. You're not just buying creative anymore; you're buying their process, their ethics, and their legal risk profile. The conversation about AI has to move from the creative department to the general counsel's office, immediately.\\n\\n## What I'm Watching Next\\n\\nTwo major signals are emerging that will define the next 18 months.\\n\\nFirst, the bifurcation between brands building owned, reachable audiences and those still renting attention is becoming a chasm. I'm watching to see which \"DTC 2.0\" brands successfully blend content, community, and commerce into a defensible moat. The moves by Gap and even small brands like Vacation Inc. show that physical activations are becoming a key way to build that direct relationship, pulling customers out of the feed and into a world you control.\\n\\nSecond, the agency world is facing a talent and identity crisis. As clients like T-Mobile take more work in-house and holding companies consolidate, the mid-sized, undifferentiated agency is getting squeezed. I'm watching for the rise of the \"strike team\" model—small, elite, tech-savvy agencies that integrate directly with a client's team to solve a specific problem, rather than being a full-service vendor. The pressure is on, and the models that emerge from this period of instability will dictate where marketing talent flows for the rest of the decade. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)",{"title":2622,"description":2860},"best-of-brands-agencies-denim-wars-ceo-exits-sports-marketing-and-bankruptcy-fears","en/insights/best-of-brands-agencies-denim-wars-ceo-exits-sports-marketing-and-bankruptcy-fears",[],"P3GoNE7rJLB_rmri9CudjeLGYsLpYcjlvJUKWTj8o5o",{"id":2870,"title":2871,"body":2872,"category":2120,"createdBy":2508,"date":3200,"description":3201,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":3202,"locale":225,"meta":3203,"navigation":228,"path":3204,"rawbody":3205,"seo":3206,"slug":3207,"stem":3208,"summary":3209,"tags":3210,"tts":228,"__hash__":3214},"blog/en/insights/building-in-public-top-entrepreneurs.md","Top Entrepreneurs Building in Public to Follow",{"type":10,"value":2873,"toc":3187},[2874,2877,2881,2884,2888,2914,2916,2926,2965,2975,3008,3018,3042,3052,3069,3079,3096,3106,3123,3133,3150,3160,3182,3185],[415,2875,2871],{"id":2876},"top-entrepreneurs-building-in-public-to-follow",[91,2878,2880],{"id":2879},"why-follow-entrepreneurs-building-in-public","Why Follow Entrepreneurs Building in Public?",[16,2882,2883],{},"Building in public means entrepreneurs openly share their business-building process, including wins, losses, and lessons. This transparency helps followers learn practical strategies, avoid pitfalls, and stay motivated. By following these founders on X, you gain real-time insights into their decision-making and growth tactics.",[91,2885,2887],{"id":2886},"key-highlights","Key Highlights",[265,2889,2890,2896,2902,2908],{},[268,2891,2892,2895],{},[19,2893,2894],{},"Transparency in Entrepreneurship",": Successful entrepreneurs share their successes, challenges, and even metrics, fostering learning and connection.",[268,2897,2898,2901],{},[19,2899,2900],{},"Diverse Industries",": These founders span tech, media, fashion, biotech, and more — offering a wide range of perspectives.",[268,2903,2904,2907],{},[19,2905,2906],{},"X as a Hub",": The majority of building-in-public activity happens on X (formerly Twitter), making it a key space to watch.",[268,2909,2910,2913],{},[19,2911,2912],{},"Authentic Inspiration",": From Naval’s philosophy to Gary Vee’s hustle, each personality brings a unique lens to the founder journey.",[86,2915],{},[211,2917,2919],{"id":2918},"naval-ravikant",[19,2920,2921],{},[793,2922,2925],{"href":2923,"rel":2924},"https://x.com/naval",[797],"Naval Ravikant",[265,2927,2928,2938,2944,2950,2959],{},[268,2929,2930,2933,2934],{},[19,2931,2932],{},"Favorite Post",": ",[793,2935,2936],{"href":2936,"rel":2937},"https://x.com/naval/status/1524651923525500928",[797],[268,2939,2940,2943],{},[19,2941,2942],{},"Business",": AngelList",[268,2945,2946,2949],{},[19,2947,2948],{},"About Business",": Platform connecting startups with investors, streamlining early-stage funding.",[268,2951,2952,2933,2955],{},[19,2953,2954],{},"LinkedIn",[793,2956,2957],{"href":2957,"rel":2958},"https://www.linkedin.com/in/navalr/",[797],[268,2960,2961,2964],{},[19,2962,2963],{},"What’s Cool",": Philosophical, widely followed for 'How to Get Rich' thread.",[211,2966,2968],{"id":2967},"gary-vaynerchuk",[19,2969,2970],{},[793,2971,2974],{"href":2972,"rel":2973},"https://x.com/garyvee",[797],"Gary Vaynerchuk",[265,2976,2977,2985,2990,2995,3003],{},[268,2978,2979,2933,2981],{},[19,2980,2932],{},[793,2982,2983],{"href":2983,"rel":2984},"https://x.com/garyvee/status/1314298184513003534",[797],[268,2986,2987,2989],{},[19,2988,2942],{},": VaynerMedia, VaynerX",[268,2991,2992,2994],{},[19,2993,2948],{},": Marketing/media powerhouse. Also launched VeeFriends.",[268,2996,2997,2933,2999],{},[19,2998,2954],{},[793,3000,3001],{"href":3001,"rel":3002},"https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk/",[797],[268,3004,3005,3007],{},[19,3006,2963],{},": Motivational, hustle-focused, builds across multiple verticals.",[211,3009,3011],{"id":3010},"pat-flynn",[19,3012,3013],{},[793,3014,3017],{"href":3015,"rel":3016},"https://x.com/PatFlynn",[797],"Pat Flynn",[265,3019,3020,3027,3032,3037],{},[268,3021,3022,2933,3024],{},[19,3023,2932],{},[793,3025,3015],{"href":3015,"rel":3026},[797],[268,3028,3029,3031],{},[19,3030,2942],{},": Smart Passive Income",[268,3033,3034,3036],{},[19,3035,2948],{},": Online entrepreneur, blogger, and podcaster.",[268,3038,3039,3041],{},[19,3040,2963],{},": Shares income, lessons, and experiments transparently.",[211,3043,3045],{"id":3044},"eric-ries",[19,3046,3047],{},[793,3048,3051],{"href":3049,"rel":3050},"https://x.com/ericries",[797],"Eric Ries",[265,3053,3054,3059,3064],{},[268,3055,3056,3058],{},[19,3057,2942],{},": The Lean Startup",[268,3060,3061,3063],{},[19,3062,2948],{},": Author of a methodology that transformed startup thinking.",[268,3065,3066,3068],{},[19,3067,2963],{},": Pioneer of validated learning and MVP culture.",[211,3070,3072],{"id":3071},"kiran-mazumdar-shaw",[19,3073,3074],{},[793,3075,3078],{"href":3076,"rel":3077},"https://x.com/kiranshaw",[797],"Kiran Mazumdar Shaw",[265,3080,3081,3086,3091],{},[268,3082,3083,3085],{},[19,3084,2942],{},": Biocon",[268,3087,3088,3090],{},[19,3089,2948],{},": Pioneered biotech leadership from India.",[268,3092,3093,3095],{},[19,3094,2963],{},": Healthcare visionary with a global mission.",[211,3097,3099],{"id":3098},"hiten-shah",[19,3100,3101],{},[793,3102,3105],{"href":3103,"rel":3104},"https://x.com/hnshah",[797],"Hiten Shah",[265,3107,3108,3113,3118],{},[268,3109,3110,3112],{},[19,3111,2942],{},": Crazy Egg, KISSmetrics",[268,3114,3115,3117],{},[19,3116,2948],{},": Analytics and SaaS-focused entrepreneur.",[268,3119,3120,3122],{},[19,3121,2963],{},": Tweets in threads and strategies — very actionable.",[211,3124,3126],{"id":3125},"andrew-chen",[19,3127,3128],{},[793,3129,3132],{"href":3130,"rel":3131},"https://x.com/andrewchen",[797],"Andrew Chen",[265,3134,3135,3140,3145],{},[268,3136,3137,3139],{},[19,3138,2942],{},": Andreessen Horowitz",[268,3141,3142,3144],{},[19,3143,2948],{},": Investor and writer on growth, startups, and networks.",[268,3146,3147,3149],{},[19,3148,2963],{},": His essays on network effects are gold.",[211,3151,3153],{"id":3152},"kevin-rose",[19,3154,3155],{},[793,3156,3159],{"href":3157,"rel":3158},"https://x.com/kevinrose",[797],"Kevin Rose",[265,3161,3162,3167,3172,3177],{},[268,3163,3164,3166],{},[19,3165,2942],{},": Digg, True Ventures",[268,3168,3169,3171],{},[19,3170,2948],{},": Founder turned investor, podcast host.",[268,3173,3174,3176],{},[19,3175,2954],{},": N/A",[268,3178,3179,3181],{},[19,3180,2963],{},": Early Web 2.0 pioneer, now a voice in Web3.",[16,3183,3184],{},"These entrepreneurs aren’t just sharing advice — they’re showing their work. From early product decisions to hiring lessons, growth hurdles, and even failure, they’re creating a blueprint for others to follow. Start engaging, keep learning, and consider building in public yourself - I certainly am.",[86,3186],{},{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3188},[3189,3190],{"id":2879,"depth":217,"text":2880},{"id":2886,"depth":217,"text":2887,"children":3191},[3192,3193,3194,3195,3196,3197,3198,3199],{"id":2918,"depth":222,"text":2925},{"id":2967,"depth":222,"text":2974},{"id":3010,"depth":222,"text":3017},{"id":3044,"depth":222,"text":3051},{"id":3071,"depth":222,"text":3078},{"id":3098,"depth":222,"text":3105},{"id":3125,"depth":222,"text":3132},{"id":3152,"depth":222,"text":3159},"2025-06-21","Discover over 20 entrepreneurs who are building in public — sharing real-time lessons, wins, and insights on X and beyond.","/images/gallery/1937_a3f25a54cb.jpg",{},"/en/insights/building-in-public-top-entrepreneurs","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Top Entrepreneurs Building in Public to Follow\"\\ndescription: \"Discover over 20 entrepreneurs who are building in public — sharing real-time lessons, wins, and insights on X and beyond.\"\\nsummary: \"Explore how top founders like Naval Ravikant, Gary Vee, and Sophia Amoruso build in public, share transparently, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: top-entrepreneurs-building-in-public\\ndate: 2025-06-21\\nimage: /images/gallery/1937_a3f25a54cb.jpg\\ncategory: building-in-public\\ntags: [\"entrepreneurship\", \"founders\", \"x\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Top Entrepreneurs Building in Public to Follow\\n\\n## Why Follow Entrepreneurs Building in Public?\\n\\nBuilding in public means entrepreneurs openly share their business-building process, including wins, losses, and lessons. This transparency helps followers learn practical strategies, avoid pitfalls, and stay motivated. By following these founders on X, you gain real-time insights into their decision-making and growth tactics.\\n\\n## Key Highlights\\n\\n- **Transparency in Entrepreneurship**: Successful entrepreneurs share their successes, challenges, and even metrics, fostering learning and connection.\\n- **Diverse Industries**: These founders span tech, media, fashion, biotech, and more — offering a wide range of perspectives.\\n- **X as a Hub**: The majority of building-in-public activity happens on X (formerly Twitter), making it a key space to watch.\\n- **Authentic Inspiration**: From Naval’s philosophy to Gary Vee’s hustle, each personality brings a unique lens to the founder journey.\\n\\n---\\n\\n### **[Naval Ravikant](https://x.com/naval)**\\n- **Favorite Post**: [https://x.com/naval/status/1524651923525500928](https://x.com/naval/status/1524651923525500928)\\n- **Business**: AngelList\\n- **About Business**: Platform connecting startups with investors, streamlining early-stage funding.\\n- **LinkedIn**: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navalr/\\n- **What’s Cool**: Philosophical, widely followed for 'How to Get Rich' thread.\\n\\n### **[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://x.com/garyvee)**\\n- **Favorite Post**: [https://x.com/garyvee/status/1314298184513003534](https://x.com/garyvee/status/1314298184513003534)\\n- **Business**: VaynerMedia, VaynerX\\n- **About Business**: Marketing/media powerhouse. Also launched VeeFriends.\\n- **LinkedIn**: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk/\\n- **What’s Cool**: Motivational, hustle-focused, builds across multiple verticals.\\n\\n### **[Pat Flynn](https://x.com/PatFlynn)**\\n- **Favorite Post**: [https://x.com/PatFlynn](https://x.com/PatFlynn)\\n- **Business**: Smart Passive Income\\n- **About Business**: Online entrepreneur, blogger, and podcaster.\\n- **What’s Cool**: Shares income, lessons, and experiments transparently.\\n\\n### **[Eric Ries](https://x.com/ericries)**\\n- **Business**: The Lean Startup\\n- **About Business**: Author of a methodology that transformed startup thinking.\\n- **What’s Cool**: Pioneer of validated learning and MVP culture.\\n\\n### **[Kiran Mazumdar Shaw](https://x.com/kiranshaw)**\\n- **Business**: Biocon\\n- **About Business**: Pioneered biotech leadership from India.\\n- **What’s Cool**: Healthcare visionary with a global mission.\\n\\n### **[Hiten Shah](https://x.com/hnshah)**\\n- **Business**: Crazy Egg, KISSmetrics\\n- **About Business**: Analytics and SaaS-focused entrepreneur.\\n- **What’s Cool**: Tweets in threads and strategies — very actionable.\\n\\n### **[Andrew Chen](https://x.com/andrewchen)**\\n- **Business**: Andreessen Horowitz\\n- **About Business**: Investor and writer on growth, startups, and networks.\\n- **What’s Cool**: His essays on network effects are gold.\\n\\n### **[Kevin Rose](https://x.com/kevinrose)**\\n- **Business**: Digg, True Ventures\\n- **About Business**: Founder turned investor, podcast host.\\n- **LinkedIn**: N/A\\n- **What’s Cool**: Early Web 2.0 pioneer, now a voice in Web3.\\n\\n\\nThese entrepreneurs aren’t just sharing advice — they’re showing their work. From early product decisions to hiring lessons, growth hurdles, and even failure, they’re creating a blueprint for others to follow. Start engaging, keep learning, and consider building in public yourself - I certainly am.\\n\\n---",{"title":2871,"description":3201},"top-entrepreneurs-building-in-public","en/insights/building-in-public-top-entrepreneurs","Explore how top founders like Naval Ravikant, Gary Vee, and Sophia Amoruso build in public, share transparently, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.",[3211,3212,3213],"entrepreneurship","founders","x","u9zeto9LAM7BSKsqZDO_ydo2X8EYPdMmjV9jwng-ib8",{"id":3216,"title":3217,"body":3218,"category":2120,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":3245,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":3246,"locale":225,"meta":3247,"navigation":228,"path":3248,"rawbody":3249,"seo":3250,"slug":3251,"stem":3252,"summary":3245,"tags":3253,"tts":228,"__hash__":3257},"blog/en/insights/consciously-wins-design-award.md","Consciously® Earns 2025 Indie Agency News Design Award",{"type":10,"value":3219,"toc":3243},[3220,3223,3226,3231,3240],[415,3221,3217],{"id":3222},"consciously-earns-2025-indie-agency-news-design-award",[16,3224,3225],{},"Consciously® has been recognized for its innovative Trust Pillars™ framework, a branding methodology that empowers clients to align internal values with external brand expression.",[2524,3227,3228],{},[16,3229,3230],{},"The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.",[2530,3232,3234,3237],{"image":3233},"https://marketingweek.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5.-Imperius-Best-Small-Indie-Agency-of-the-Year-1024x577.jpg",[16,3235,3236],{},"Agency co-founder Marisa Williams notes that the framework offers clients a shared language for decision-making that is transparent and authentic. The result is deeper stakeholder trust and clearer brand storytelling.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.",[16,3238,3239],{},"The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.",[16,3241,3242],{},"Consciously® is redefining how agencies can support mission-aligned growth, proving that design and strategy can be tightly interwoven for positive impact.g, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-g, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3244},[],"Branding agency Consciously® wins major design award for its Trust Pillars™ framework.","https://bunny-wp-pullzone-tsw4mytydl.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/blog-AD.jpg",{},"/en/insights/consciously-wins-design-award","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Consciously® Earns 2025 Indie Agency News Design Award\"\\ndescription: \"Branding agency Consciously® wins major design award for its Trust Pillars™ framework.\"\\nsummary: \"Branding agency Consciously® wins major design award for its Trust Pillars™ framework.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: consciously-wins-design-award\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://bunny-wp-pullzone-tsw4mytydl.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/blog-AD.jpg\\ncategory: building-in-public\\ntags: [\"agency\", \"branding\", \"design\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Consciously® Earns 2025 Indie Agency News Design Award\\n\\nConsciously® has been recognized for its innovative Trust Pillars™ framework, a branding methodology that empowers clients to align internal values with external brand expression.\\n\\n::split-paragraph\\nThe framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.\\n::\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://marketingweek.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5.-Imperius-Best-Small-Indie-Agency-of-the-Year-1024x577.jpg\"}\\nAgency co-founder Marisa Williams notes that the framework offers clients a shared language for decision-making that is transparent and authentic. The result is deeper stakeholder trust and clearer brand storytelling.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.\\n\\nThe framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.\\n::\\n\\nConsciously® is redefining how agencies can support mission-aligned growth, proving that design and strategy can be tightly interwoven for positive impact.g, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-g, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-driven organizations, it's already transforming B Corps and nonprofit positioning across the U.S.The framework breaks down brand identity into core commitments that guide messaging, behavior, and culture. Designed for purpose-\\n",{"title":3217,"description":3245},"consciously-wins-design-award","en/insights/consciously-wins-design-award",[3254,3255,3256],"agency","branding","design","vJSgVC-n9d4y-6QqIH3dbz8X79h7s1v8vsttTghnn-c",{"id":3259,"title":3260,"body":3261,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":3290,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":228,"icon":4,"image":3291,"locale":225,"meta":3292,"navigation":228,"path":3293,"rawbody":3294,"seo":3295,"slug":3296,"stem":3297,"summary":3290,"tags":3298,"tts":228,"__hash__":3301},"blog/en/insights/ibm-quantum-roadmap-2026.md","IBM Announces 2000-Qubit Quantum Processor Roadmap",{"type":10,"value":3262,"toc":3287},[3263,3266,3269,3274,3279,3283],[415,3264,3260],{"id":3265},"ibm-announces-2000-qubit-quantum-processor-roadmap",[16,3267,3268],{},"IBM has outlined its plan to deliver a 2000-qubit quantum processor by 2026, significantly advancing its quantum computing initiatives.",[2524,3270,3271],{},[16,3272,3273],{},"Quantum computing is no longer a distant dream. IBM is taking concrete steps toward scalable, error-corrected quantum machines. The new 2000-qubit roadmap includes modular quantum processors and innovative cryogenic infrastructure.",[2530,3275,3276],{"image":2551},[16,3277,3278],{},"IBM's roadmap is rooted in collaborative research, including partnerships with universities and national labs. The company plans to stack and connect multiple quantum chips, leveraging a system called Quantum System Two.",[91,3280,3282],{"id":3281},"global-impact-and-industry-adoption","Global Impact and Industry Adoption",[108,3284],{":reverse":110,"first-image":3285,"second-image":3286,"type":113},"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1518770660439-4636190af475","https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/metro_20171121_tech-empowers-tech-polarizes-mark-muro.jpg?quality=75&w=1500",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3288},[3289],{"id":3281,"depth":217,"text":3282},"IBM plans to deliver a 2000-qubit quantum processor by 2026.","https://bsmedia.business-standard.com/_media/bs/img/misc/2017-01/31/full/1485866903-63581960.jpg?im=FeatureCrop,size=(1200)",{},"/en/insights/ibm-quantum-roadmap-2026","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"IBM Announces 2000-Qubit Quantum Processor Roadmap\"\\ndescription: \"IBM plans to deliver a 2000-qubit quantum processor by 2026.\"\\nsummary: \"IBM plans to deliver a 2000-qubit quantum processor by 2026.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: ibm-quantum-roadmap-2026\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://bsmedia.business-standard.com/_media/bs/img/misc/2017-01/31/full/1485866903-63581960.jpg?im=FeatureCrop,size=(1200)\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ntags: [\"tech\", \"quantum\", \"ibm\"]\\nfeatured: true\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# IBM Announces 2000-Qubit Quantum Processor Roadmap\\n\\nIBM has outlined its plan to deliver a 2000-qubit quantum processor by 2026, significantly advancing its quantum computing initiatives.\\n\\n::split-paragraph\\nQuantum computing is no longer a distant dream. IBM is taking concrete steps toward scalable, error-corrected quantum machines. The new 2000-qubit roadmap includes modular quantum processors and innovative cryogenic infrastructure.\\n::\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/services/consulting/technology/2024/image/tech-powered-hero-frame.jpeg\"}\\nIBM's roadmap is rooted in collaborative research, including partnerships with universities and national labs. The company plans to stack and connect multiple quantum chips, leveraging a system called Quantum System Two.\\n::\\n\\n## Global Impact and Industry Adoption\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/3\" first-image=\"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1518770660439-4636190af475\" second-image=\"https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/metro_20171121_tech-empowers-tech-polarizes-mark-muro.jpg?quality=75&w=1500\"}\\n::\\n\\n",{"title":3260,"description":3290},"ibm-quantum-roadmap-2026","en/insights/ibm-quantum-roadmap-2026",[2574,3299,3300],"quantum","ibm","OaI0jUUqIhkL388WNHRe4SbSjoGrStaDyNul8F0zgMA",{"id":3303,"title":3304,"body":3305,"category":2120,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":3335,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":228,"icon":4,"image":3336,"locale":225,"meta":3337,"navigation":228,"path":3338,"rawbody":3339,"seo":3340,"slug":3341,"stem":3342,"summary":3335,"tags":3343,"tts":228,"__hash__":3345},"blog/en/insights/jaguar-rebrand-controversy.md","Jaguar's Rebrand Sparks Controversy and Agency Review",{"type":10,"value":3306,"toc":3333},[3307,3310,3313,3316,3319,3328],[415,3308,3304],{"id":3309},"jaguars-rebrand-sparks-controversy-and-agency-review",[16,3311,3312],{},"Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery.\nThe campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.",[16,3314,3315],{},"Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.",[16,3317,3318],{},"Amid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.",[2530,3320,3322,3325],{"image":3321},"https://media.cdn-jaguarlandrover.com/api/v2/images/89743/w/1000.jpg",[16,3323,3324],{},"The situation has sparked wider industry debate about the risks and rewards of aggressive rebranding. Can heritage brands adapt to modern tastes without alienating loyal fans? Jaguar’s next steps could set a precedent. The situation has sparked wider industry debate about the risks and rewards of aggressive rebranding. Can heritage brands adapt to modern tastes without alienating loyal fans? Jaguar’s next steps could set a precedent.",[16,3326,3327],{},"Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery.",[2524,3329,3330],{},[16,3331,3332],{},"Amid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far. Amid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far. Amid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3334},[],"Jaguar’s bold rebrand leads to public backlash and reevaluation of agency strategy.","https://media.cdn-jaguarlandrover.com/api/v2/images/90344/w/1216/h/684.jpg",{},"/en/insights/jaguar-rebrand-controversy","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Jaguar's Rebrand Sparks Controversy and Agency Review\"\\ndescription: \"Jaguar’s bold rebrand leads to public backlash and reevaluation of agency strategy.\"\\nsummary: \"Jaguar’s bold rebrand leads to public backlash and reevaluation of agency strategy.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: jaguar-rebrand-controversy\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://media.cdn-jaguarlandrover.com/api/v2/images/90344/w/1216/h/684.jpg\\ncategory: building-in-public\\ntags: [\"rebrand\", \"agency\", \"design\"]\\nfeatured: true\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Jaguar's Rebrand Sparks Controversy and Agency Review\\n\\nJaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery.\\nThe campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.\\n\\nJaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.\\n\\nAmid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://media.cdn-jaguarlandrover.com/api/v2/images/89743/w/1000.jpg\"}\\nThe situation has sparked wider industry debate about the risks and rewards of aggressive rebranding. Can heritage brands adapt to modern tastes without alienating loyal fans? Jaguar’s next steps could set a precedent. The situation has sparked wider industry debate about the risks and rewards of aggressive rebranding. Can heritage brands adapt to modern tastes without alienating loyal fans? Jaguar’s next steps could set a precedent.\\n\\nStakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery.\\n::\\n\\n::split-paragraph\\nAmid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far. Amid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far. Amid growing criticism, Jaguar is reviewing its contract with advertising agency Accenture Song. Stakeholders argue the new brand direction misaligns with the brand’s historical identity centered on elegance and performance. Jaguar has stirred controversy with its latest rebranding initiative, featuring bold color palettes and fashion-forward imagery. The campaign aimed to modernize the brand, but backlash from traditional consumers and design critics suggests it may have gone too far.\\n::\\n",{"title":3304,"description":3335},"jaguar-rebrand-controversy","en/insights/jaguar-rebrand-controversy",[3344,3254,3256],"rebrand","Sy3rtj1mg757yeab9RpMY5oer78EkSjiuJJPdUHMuxQ",{"id":3347,"title":3348,"body":3349,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":3380,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":228,"icon":4,"image":3381,"locale":225,"meta":3382,"navigation":228,"path":3383,"rawbody":3384,"seo":3385,"slug":3386,"stem":3387,"summary":3380,"tags":3388,"tts":228,"__hash__":3390},"blog/en/insights/nvidia-h200-ai-chip.md","Nvidia Unveils Next-Gen AI Chip, Doubling Performance",{"type":10,"value":3350,"toc":3377},[3351,3354,3357,3362,3368,3372],[415,3352,3348],{"id":3353},"nvidia-unveils-next-gen-ai-chip-doubling-performance",[16,3355,3356],{},"Nvidia has just unveiled its latest AI chip, the H200, claiming to double the performance of its predecessor while reducing energy consumption significantly.",[2524,3358,3359],{},[16,3360,3361],{},"Nvidia continues to dominate the AI hardware space with the announcement of the H200 GPU, specifically designed for large language models and deep learning workloads. The company states that the new chip offers twice the processing power of the H100, thanks to advanced architecture and new memory bandwidth optimizations. Nvidia continues to dominate the AI hardware space with the announcement of the H200 GPU, specifically designed for large language models and deep learning workloads. The company states that the new chip offers twice the processing power of the H100, thanks to advanced architecture and new memory bandwidth optimizations.",[2530,3363,3365],{"image":3364},"https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RqZGLD9cNLDo9TwwpFEFAD.png",[16,3366,3367],{},"The H200 is expected to be deployed in major data centers and AI research facilities by Q4 2025. Industry experts believe this will accelerate advancements in generative AI, robotics, and scientific simulations.",[91,3369,3371],{"id":3370},"whats-new-in-the-h200","What's New in the H200?",[1262,3373],{"image1":3374,"image2":3375,"image3":3375,"image4":3376},"https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt8eb3cdfc1fce5194/blt85396c371978b701/67daa1be2ed12266b3573184/Nvidia-Blackwell-Ultra.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale","https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4D12AQH9VCfchAyQQQ/article-cover_image-shrink_720_1280/B4DZWui5fsG8AM-/0/1742390144939?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=PZNEnxPzu4kPSBhTz6wUmP6K2SDTBzxu57zIBDcJ5uI","https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Ffb2806f8-040a-44a1-b6b2-686f2b36f928.jpg?source=next-article&fit=scale-down&quality=highest&width=700&dpr=1",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3378},[3379],{"id":3370,"depth":217,"text":3371},"Nvidia announces the H200 chip with double the power and improved energy efficiency.","https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt8eb3cdfc1fce5194/blt7da6ec35c4b5cb9d/677d6591b679556a1f87a78d/Jensen-Huange-CES-2025-Bloomberg.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale",{},"/en/insights/nvidia-h200-ai-chip","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Nvidia Unveils Next-Gen AI Chip, Doubling Performance\"\\ndescription: \"Nvidia announces the H200 chip with double the power and improved energy efficiency.\"\\nsummary: \"Nvidia announces the H200 chip with double the power and improved energy efficiency.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: nvidia-h200-ai-chip\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt8eb3cdfc1fce5194/blt7da6ec35c4b5cb9d/677d6591b679556a1f87a78d/Jensen-Huange-CES-2025-Bloomberg.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ntags: [\"tech\", \"AI\", \"hardware\"]\\nfeatured: true\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Nvidia Unveils Next-Gen AI Chip, Doubling Performance\\n\\nNvidia has just unveiled its latest AI chip, the H200, claiming to double the performance of its predecessor while reducing energy consumption significantly.\\n\\n::split-paragraph\\nNvidia continues to dominate the AI hardware space with the announcement of the H200 GPU, specifically designed for large language models and deep learning workloads. The company states that the new chip offers twice the processing power of the H100, thanks to advanced architecture and new memory bandwidth optimizations. Nvidia continues to dominate the AI hardware space with the announcement of the H200 GPU, specifically designed for large language models and deep learning workloads. The company states that the new chip offers twice the processing power of the H100, thanks to advanced architecture and new memory bandwidth optimizations.\\n::\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RqZGLD9cNLDo9TwwpFEFAD.png\"}\\nThe H200 is expected to be deployed in major data centers and AI research facilities by Q4 2025. Industry experts believe this will accelerate advancements in generative AI, robotics, and scientific simulations.\\n::\\n\\n## What's New in the H200?\\n\\n::images-bento\\n---\\nimage1: \"https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt8eb3cdfc1fce5194/blt85396c371978b701/67daa1be2ed12266b3573184/Nvidia-Blackwell-Ultra.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale\"\\nimage2: \"https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4D12AQH9VCfchAyQQQ/article-cover_image-shrink_720_1280/B4DZWui5fsG8AM-/0/1742390144939?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=PZNEnxPzu4kPSBhTz6wUmP6K2SDTBzxu57zIBDcJ5uI\"\\nimage3: \"https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4D12AQH9VCfchAyQQQ/article-cover_image-shrink_720_1280/B4DZWui5fsG8AM-/0/1742390144939?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=PZNEnxPzu4kPSBhTz6wUmP6K2SDTBzxu57zIBDcJ5uI\"\\nimage4: \"https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Ffb2806f8-040a-44a1-b6b2-686f2b36f928.jpg?source=next-article&fit=scale-down&quality=highest&width=700&dpr=1\"\\n---\\n::\\n",{"title":3348,"description":3380},"nvidia-h200-ai-chip","en/insights/nvidia-h200-ai-chip",[2574,2618,3389],"hardware","6Xp9RftKU35bfSQZbwlvfpV8FUdnRBPsiQAVicRJHqk",{"id":3392,"title":3393,"body":3394,"category":2136,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":3424,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":3425,"locale":225,"meta":3426,"navigation":228,"path":3427,"rawbody":3428,"seo":3429,"slug":3430,"stem":3431,"summary":3424,"tags":3432,"tts":228,"__hash__":3435},"blog/en/insights/tesla-robotaxi-2025.md","Tesla to Launch Robotaxi Fleet by End of 2025",{"type":10,"value":3395,"toc":3421},[3396,3399,3402,3407,3413,3417],[415,3397,3393],{"id":3398},"tesla-to-launch-robotaxi-fleet-by-end-of-2025",[16,3400,3401],{},"Elon Musk has reiterated that Tesla’s long-promised robotaxi network will roll out by the end of 2025.",[2524,3403,3404],{},[16,3405,3406],{},"The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers.",[2530,3408,3410],{"image":3409},"https://www.forbes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Robotaxi_99.jpg",[16,3411,3412],{},"Recent progress in Tesla’s AI-driven driving models and Dojo supercomputer training show promise. The robotaxi design is expected to be revealed in August. Recent progress in Tesla’s AI-driven driving models and Dojo supercomputer training show promise. The robotaxi design is expected to be revealed in August. Recent progress in Tesla’s AI-driven driving models and Dojo supercomputer training show promise. The robotaxi design is expected to be revealed in August.",[91,3414,3416],{"id":3415},"self-driving-goes-mainstream","Self-Driving Goes Mainstream",[108,3418],{":reverse":110,"first-image":3419,"second-image":3420,"type":113},"https://www.moveelectric.com/sites/default/files/styles/slideshow_slide/public/cloned-files/02-Tesla%20Robotaxi-Tesla_1.jpg?itok=JiblSiZC","https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Economics-of-a-Tesla-Robotaxi-Tesla-Model-3-S-X-Fleet-Red-White-Blue-Supercharging-Florida-National-Drive-Electric-Week-Bazaar.jpeg",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3422},[3423],{"id":3415,"depth":217,"text":3416},"Elon Musk confirms Tesla plans to deploy its autonomous Robotaxi fleet before 2026.","https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/0eO4g2/s3/tesla-robotaxi.jpg",{},"/en/insights/tesla-robotaxi-2025","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Tesla to Launch Robotaxi Fleet by End of 2025\"\\ndescription: \"Elon Musk confirms Tesla plans to deploy its autonomous Robotaxi fleet before 2026.\"\\nsummary: \"Elon Musk confirms Tesla plans to deploy its autonomous Robotaxi fleet before 2026.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: tesla-robotaxi-2025\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/0eO4g2/s3/tesla-robotaxi.jpg\\ncategory: cro-science\\ntags: [\"tech\", \"tesla\", \"autonomous\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Tesla to Launch Robotaxi Fleet by End of 2025\\n\\nElon Musk has reiterated that Tesla’s long-promised robotaxi network will roll out by the end of 2025.\\n\\n::split-paragraph\\nThe robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers. The robotaxi will be built on a new dedicated platform optimized for cost, range, and autonomy. Tesla plans to manufacture the vehicles in large numbers.\\n::\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://www.forbes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Robotaxi_99.jpg\"}\\nRecent progress in Tesla’s AI-driven driving models and Dojo supercomputer training show promise. The robotaxi design is expected to be revealed in August. Recent progress in Tesla’s AI-driven driving models and Dojo supercomputer training show promise. The robotaxi design is expected to be revealed in August. Recent progress in Tesla’s AI-driven driving models and Dojo supercomputer training show promise. The robotaxi design is expected to be revealed in August.\\n::\\n\\n## Self-Driving Goes Mainstream\\n\\n::split-images{:reverse='false' type=\"1/3\" first-image=\"https://www.moveelectric.com/sites/default/files/styles/slideshow_slide/public/cloned-files/02-Tesla%20Robotaxi-Tesla_1.jpg?itok=JiblSiZC\" second-image=\"https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Economics-of-a-Tesla-Robotaxi-Tesla-Model-3-S-X-Fleet-Red-White-Blue-Supercharging-Florida-National-Drive-Electric-Week-Bazaar.jpeg\"}\\n::\\n",{"title":3393,"description":3424},"tesla-robotaxi-2025","en/insights/tesla-robotaxi-2025",[2574,3433,3434],"tesla","autonomous","QoOUoyNOABqXQetvVCDEsELolf3o2XqJ-aZzCmNb_zk",{"id":3437,"title":3438,"body":3439,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2859,"description":3585,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":3586,"locale":225,"meta":3587,"navigation":228,"path":3588,"rawbody":3589,"seo":3590,"slug":3591,"stem":3592,"summary":3585,"tags":3593,"tts":228,"__hash__":3594},"blog/en/insights/this-week-in-marketing-ai-bubble-fears-tiktok-ban-delay-rebrand-outrage-made-by-google-event.md","This Week in Marketing – AI Bubble fears, TikTok Ban delay, Rebrand outrage & Made by Google event",{"type":10,"value":3440,"toc":3575},[3441,3443,3478,3480,3483,3486,3491,3496,3499,3504,3509,3515,3518,3523,3528,3531,3536,3541,3547,3550,3555,3564,3567,3569],[91,3442,2628],{"id":2627},[2630,3444,3445,3449,3454,3459,3464,3469,3474],{},[268,3446,3447],{},[793,3448,2637],{"href":2636},[268,3450,3451],{},[793,3452,3453],{"href":2642},"The AI Spending Spree Meets Reality",[268,3455,3456],{},[793,3457,3458],{"href":2648},"Platforms, Politics, and Postponements",[268,3460,3461],{},[793,3462,3463],{"href":2654},"Branding, Missteps, and Market Reaction",[268,3465,3466],{},[793,3467,3468],{"href":2660},"Google's Brute-Force AI Push",[268,3470,3471],{},[793,3472,3473],{"href":2666},"The Shifting Media Landscape",[268,3475,3476],{},[793,3477,2685],{"href":2672},[91,3479,2637],{"id":2436},[16,3481,3482],{},"This week, the gap between strategic signaling and market reality became impossible to ignore. We're seeing the first signs of fiscal discipline being imposed on the AI talent arms race, a clear signal that the era of spending without immediate ROI is ending. Simultaneously, major platforms are resorting to brute-force marketing and political maneuvering to secure their positions. For founders and builders, the message is clear: while the giants grapple with hype cycles and geopolitical chess, the real opportunity lies in focusing on fundamental value, owning your audience, and executing with precision.",[91,3484,3453],{"id":3485},"the-ai-spending-spree-meets-reality",[16,3487,3488,3490],{},[19,3489,2701],{}," Meta is reportedly putting the brakes on its massive AI talent spending spree, signaling concerns about a potential AI bubble. This comes as analysts downplay bubble worries, even as OpenAI's Sam Altman warns some investors will be left \"very burnt.\" Meanwhile, Meta has poached an Apple AI executive but plans a hiring slowdown and will license AI technology from a start-up as its in-house models lag. In other AI news, Meta and Character.ai are being probed for touting AI mental health advice to children, and a whistleblower alleges Meta artificially boosted Shops ads performance while bypassing Apple's privacy rules.",[16,3492,3493,3495],{},[19,3494,2707],{}," Meta’s \"bubble\" concern isn't about the technology's potential; it's about the economics of its current application. From an economist's perspective, they've reached the point of diminishing returns on talent acquisition. The nine-figure salaries for researchers were a strategic necessity to build capability; now, the focus shifts to ROI and shipping product. This is the pragmatic founder's mindset kicking in: capital is a finite weapon, and it must be aimed at initiatives that generate revenue or secure a long-term defensible position, not just academic prestige. For SMBs, this is a leading indicator. When the giants start talking about cost, it means the phase of experimental, subsidized access to new tech is ending. The platforms will need to make their AI tools pay for themselves, which means the costs will eventually be passed down to advertisers and business users.",[91,3497,3458],{"id":3498},"platforms-politics-and-postponements",[16,3500,3501,3503],{},[19,3502,2701],{}," Donald Trump has signaled a potential fourth delay of the TikTok ban. The Chinese Communist Party's state-owned media reiterated that Chinese law prohibits the export of core technologies like short video algorithms, drawing a \"red line.\" In a seemingly contradictory move, the White House has launched its own official TikTok account. On the platform itself, TikTok is laying off hundreds of UK content moderators in a push toward AI, has limited posts to five hashtags, and is facing a lawsuit from the state of Minnesota alleging it preys on young people with addictive algorithms.",[16,3505,3506,3508],{},[19,3507,2707],{}," The TikTok situation is a masterclass in geopolitical strategy, and for businesses, it's a stark reminder of platform risk. From a chess player's viewpoint, every move is calculated. China's \"red line\" on the algorithm is their queen on the board—it's the most valuable piece, and they won't sacrifice it. The repeated delays from the US side show a reluctance to upend a massive economic and cultural ecosystem, especially during an election cycle. The White House joining TikTok while simultaneously trying to ban it is the ultimate hedge.",[16,3510,3511,3512],{},"The lesson for every founder and business owner is brutally simple and core to the \"Reachable Audience\" Doctrine: you cannot build a sustainable business on land you don't own. Your presence on TikTok is rented. At any moment, the landlord—be it ByteDance or the US Government—can change the terms or tear down the building. Use these platforms as discovery layers to drive users back to an asset you control: your email list, your app, your direct line of communication. ",[793,3513,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3514},[797],[91,3516,3463],{"id":3517},"branding-missteps-and-market-reaction",[16,3519,3520,3522],{},[19,3521,2701],{}," Cracker Barrel's stock plunged, losing almost $100 million in value, following the release of a new logo that was met with widespread customer backlash. In a similar vein, MSNBC's new name and logo for its streaming service, \"MS NOW,\" is facing criticism. In contrast, Gap's campaign with the group Katseye has become its most viral yet.",[16,3524,3525,3527],{},[19,3526,2707],{}," Cracker Barrel and MSNBC made the classic mistake of designing for a committee room instead of their customer. This isn't a failure of design; it's a failure of empathy for the end-user. They likely tried to \"modernize\" to attract a new demographic without realizing they were alienating the core audience that pays the bills. The market's reaction—a $100M punishment for Cracker Barrel—is the ultimate feedback. For an SMB, a mistake like this is fatal. The athlete's mindset here is about reps and conditioning: constantly test and validate with your actual customers. Your brand isn't what your logo looks like; it's the sum of all interactions and the trust you've built. Violating that trust for a cosmetic update is a losing trade. This is a powerful lesson in focusing on the substance of your product and service over superficial changes.",[91,3529,3468],{"id":3530},"googles-brute-force-ai-push",[16,3532,3533,3535],{},[19,3534,2701],{}," At its recent \"Made by Google\" event, the company is making an aggressive push to sell its AI features to a skeptical public. The campaign involves celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Curry, alongside a long list of paid influencers, to make the case for its AI products and the Pixel phone against the iPhone. This comes as Apple is reportedly exploring using Google's Gemini to power a revamped Siri. Google also announced \"Gemini for Home\" and new AI-powered health and fitness coaching for Fitbit.",[16,3537,3538,3540],{},[19,3539,2707],{}," When a technology-first company like Google resorts to massive celebrity endorsements, it's a defensive posture. It signals that they believe they are losing the narrative battle and can't win on product differentiation alone. From a competitive execution standpoint, this is a brute-force attempt to buy mindshare. They see OpenAI and Apple capturing the public's imagination, and they're spending heavily to stay in the conversation.",[16,3542,3543,3544],{},"For a founder, the takeaway is critical: a superior product doesn't automatically win. Distribution, narrative, and marketing are just as important. Google is trying to solve a marketing problem with money. The deeper question is whether the underlying product is compelling enough to retain the users this campaign attracts. The potential Apple/Gemini deal is the strategic long-game—if they can become the \"Intel Inside\" for the world's most popular consumer device, the marketing blitz becomes far less critical. ",[793,3545,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3546},[797],[91,3548,3473],{"id":3549},"the-shifting-media-landscape",[16,3551,3552,3554],{},[19,3553,2701],{}," YouTube is reportedly bidding to host the Oscars, a broadcast that has been on the same network for 50 years. This aligns with Nielsen data showing streaming hit another record high in July, with YouTube (13.4%) and Netflix (8.8%) by themselves equaling the viewership of cable. In other creator-focused news, YouTube star Mark Rober secured a Netflix deal, and Instagram now allows creators to link multiple Reels together into a series.",[16,3556,3557,3559,3560,3563],{},[19,3558,2707],{}," YouTube bidding for the Oscars is not just about a single broadcast; it's a strategic move to permanently redefine what \"prime time\" means. They are leveraging their massive, engaged audience to challenge the very foundation of linear television. The Nielsen data confirms the reality: for a growing portion of the population, YouTube ",[82,3561,3562],{},"is"," television. Winning the Oscars would be the ultimate validation of this shift, cementing their status as the dominant media platform.",[16,3565,3566],{},"The move by Instagram to allow Reels series is a direct application of this playbook at a smaller scale. They understand that sustainable engagement comes from episodic content, not just viral one-offs. This is a gift to creators and SMBs. It provides a native tool to build a narrative and nurture a reachable audience over time, turning casual viewers into a loyal community—a far more valuable asset than a single viral hit. Building that direct relationship is the only durable advantage in a fragmenting media world.",[91,3568,2685],{"id":2834},[16,3570,3571,3572],{},"The signal I’m tracking most closely is the real-world financial performance of AI-native features. Meta’s talk of a bubble and Google’s massive marketing spend are top-of-funnel noise; I want to see the bottom-of-funnel results. Will Meta's new AI-driven ad tools for the holiday season produce a measurable lift in ROI for SMBs, or will they just increase complexity? Secondly, I’m watching the quiet moves in data access. As platforms like X pull back free API access and publishers mull over \"consent or pay\" models, the open web that fueled the last decade of growth is closing. This will consolidate power and make building a direct, \"reachable audience\" not just a good strategy, but the only strategy for survival. ",[793,3573,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3574},[797],{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3576},[3577,3578,3579,3580,3581,3582,3583,3584],{"id":2627,"depth":217,"text":2628},{"id":2436,"depth":217,"text":2637},{"id":3485,"depth":217,"text":3453},{"id":3498,"depth":217,"text":3458},{"id":3517,"depth":217,"text":3463},{"id":3530,"depth":217,"text":3468},{"id":3549,"depth":217,"text":3473},{"id":2834,"depth":217,"text":2685},"This week in marketing: Is the AI bubble bursting? Get insights on the TikTok ban delay, costly rebrands, and Google's celebrity-fueled AI campaign. Read our take.","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xmnw!,w_545,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1322dede-eeea-44e0-976a-0dabe2a100a3_4215x3308.jpeg",{},"/en/insights/this-week-in-marketing-ai-bubble-fears-tiktok-ban-delay-rebrand-outrage-made-by-google-event","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"This Week in Marketing – AI Bubble fears, TikTok Ban delay, Rebrand outrage & Made by Google event\"\\ndescription: \"This week in marketing: Is the AI bubble bursting? Get insights on the TikTok ban delay, costly rebrands, and Google's celebrity-fueled AI campaign. Read our take.\"\\nsummary: \"This week in marketing: Is the AI bubble bursting? Get insights on the TikTok ban delay, costly rebrands, and Google's celebrity-fueled AI campaign. Read our take.\"\\nimage: \"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xmnw!,w_545,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1322dede-eeea-44e0-976a-0dabe2a100a3_4215x3308.jpeg\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: this-week-in-marketing-ai-bubble-fears-tiktok-ban-delay-rebrand-outrage-made-by-google-event\\ndate: 2025-09-01\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n## Table of Contents\\n\\n1. [The Big Picture](#section1)\\n2. [The AI Spending Spree Meets Reality](#section2)\\n3. [Platforms, Politics, and Postponements](#section3)\\n4. [Branding, Missteps, and Market Reaction](#section4)\\n5. [Google's Brute-Force AI Push](#section5)\\n6. [The Shifting Media Landscape](#section6)\\n7. [What I'm Watching Next](#section7)\\n\\n## The Big Picture\\n\\nThis week, the gap between strategic signaling and market reality became impossible to ignore. We're seeing the first signs of fiscal discipline being imposed on the AI talent arms race, a clear signal that the era of spending without immediate ROI is ending. Simultaneously, major platforms are resorting to brute-force marketing and political maneuvering to secure their positions. For founders and builders, the message is clear: while the giants grapple with hype cycles and geopolitical chess, the real opportunity lies in focusing on fundamental value, owning your audience, and executing with precision.\\n\\n## The AI Spending Spree Meets Reality\\n\\n**The \"What\":** Meta is reportedly putting the brakes on its massive AI talent spending spree, signaling concerns about a potential AI bubble. This comes as analysts downplay bubble worries, even as OpenAI's Sam Altman warns some investors will be left \"very burnt.\" Meanwhile, Meta has poached an Apple AI executive but plans a hiring slowdown and will license AI technology from a start-up as its in-house models lag. In other AI news, Meta and Character.ai are being probed for touting AI mental health advice to children, and a whistleblower alleges Meta artificially boosted Shops ads performance while bypassing Apple's privacy rules.\\n\\n**My Take:** Meta’s \"bubble\" concern isn't about the technology's potential; it's about the economics of its current application. From an economist's perspective, they've reached the point of diminishing returns on talent acquisition. The nine-figure salaries for researchers were a strategic necessity to build capability; now, the focus shifts to ROI and shipping product. This is the pragmatic founder's mindset kicking in: capital is a finite weapon, and it must be aimed at initiatives that generate revenue or secure a long-term defensible position, not just academic prestige. For SMBs, this is a leading indicator. When the giants start talking about cost, it means the phase of experimental, subsidized access to new tech is ending. The platforms will need to make their AI tools pay for themselves, which means the costs will eventually be passed down to advertisers and business users.\\n\\n## Platforms, Politics, and Postponements\\n\\n**The \"What\":** Donald Trump has signaled a potential fourth delay of the TikTok ban. The Chinese Communist Party's state-owned media reiterated that Chinese law prohibits the export of core technologies like short video algorithms, drawing a \"red line.\" In a seemingly contradictory move, the White House has launched its own official TikTok account. On the platform itself, TikTok is laying off hundreds of UK content moderators in a push toward AI, has limited posts to five hashtags, and is facing a lawsuit from the state of Minnesota alleging it preys on young people with addictive algorithms.\\n\\n**My Take:** The TikTok situation is a masterclass in geopolitical strategy, and for businesses, it's a stark reminder of platform risk. From a chess player's viewpoint, every move is calculated. China's \"red line\" on the algorithm is their queen on the board—it's the most valuable piece, and they won't sacrifice it. The repeated delays from the US side show a reluctance to upend a massive economic and cultural ecosystem, especially during an election cycle. The White House joining TikTok while simultaneously trying to ban it is the ultimate hedge.\\n\\nThe lesson for every founder and business owner is brutally simple and core to the \"Reachable Audience\" Doctrine: you cannot build a sustainable business on land you don't own. Your presence on TikTok is rented. At any moment, the landlord—be it ByteDance or the US Government—can change the terms or tear down the building. Use these platforms as discovery layers to drive users back to an asset you control: your email list, your app, your direct line of communication. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## Branding, Missteps, and Market Reaction\\n\\n**The \"What\":** Cracker Barrel's stock plunged, losing almost $100 million in value, following the release of a new logo that was met with widespread customer backlash. In a similar vein, MSNBC's new name and logo for its streaming service, \"MS NOW,\" is facing criticism. In contrast, Gap's campaign with the group Katseye has become its most viral yet.\\n\\n**My Take:** Cracker Barrel and MSNBC made the classic mistake of designing for a committee room instead of their customer. This isn't a failure of design; it's a failure of empathy for the end-user. They likely tried to \"modernize\" to attract a new demographic without realizing they were alienating the core audience that pays the bills. The market's reaction—a $100M punishment for Cracker Barrel—is the ultimate feedback. For an SMB, a mistake like this is fatal. The athlete's mindset here is about reps and conditioning: constantly test and validate with your actual customers. Your brand isn't what your logo looks like; it's the sum of all interactions and the trust you've built. Violating that trust for a cosmetic update is a losing trade. This is a powerful lesson in focusing on the substance of your product and service over superficial changes.\\n\\n## Google's Brute-Force AI Push\\n\\n**The \"What\":** At its recent \"Made by Google\" event, the company is making an aggressive push to sell its AI features to a skeptical public. The campaign involves celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Curry, alongside a long list of paid influencers, to make the case for its AI products and the Pixel phone against the iPhone. This comes as Apple is reportedly exploring using Google's Gemini to power a revamped Siri. Google also announced \"Gemini for Home\" and new AI-powered health and fitness coaching for Fitbit.\\n\\n**My Take:** When a technology-first company like Google resorts to massive celebrity endorsements, it's a defensive posture. It signals that they believe they are losing the narrative battle and can't win on product differentiation alone. From a competitive execution standpoint, this is a brute-force attempt to buy mindshare. They see OpenAI and Apple capturing the public's imagination, and they're spending heavily to stay in the conversation.\\n\\nFor a founder, the takeaway is critical: a superior product doesn't automatically win. Distribution, narrative, and marketing are just as important. Google is trying to solve a marketing problem with money. The deeper question is whether the underlying product is compelling enough to retain the users this campaign attracts. The potential Apple/Gemini deal is the strategic long-game—if they can become the \"Intel Inside\" for the world's most popular consumer device, the marketing blitz becomes far less critical. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## The Shifting Media Landscape\\n\\n**The \"What\":** YouTube is reportedly bidding to host the Oscars, a broadcast that has been on the same network for 50 years. This aligns with Nielsen data showing streaming hit another record high in July, with YouTube (13.4%) and Netflix (8.8%) by themselves equaling the viewership of cable. In other creator-focused news, YouTube star Mark Rober secured a Netflix deal, and Instagram now allows creators to link multiple Reels together into a series.\\n\\n**My Take:** YouTube bidding for the Oscars is not just about a single broadcast; it's a strategic move to permanently redefine what \"prime time\" means. They are leveraging their massive, engaged audience to challenge the very foundation of linear television. The Nielsen data confirms the reality: for a growing portion of the population, YouTube *is* television. Winning the Oscars would be the ultimate validation of this shift, cementing their status as the dominant media platform.\\n\\nThe move by Instagram to allow Reels series is a direct application of this playbook at a smaller scale. They understand that sustainable engagement comes from episodic content, not just viral one-offs. This is a gift to creators and SMBs. It provides a native tool to build a narrative and nurture a reachable audience over time, turning casual viewers into a loyal community—a far more valuable asset than a single viral hit. Building that direct relationship is the only durable advantage in a fragmenting media world.\\n\\n## What I'm Watching Next\\n\\nThe signal I’m tracking most closely is the real-world financial performance of AI-native features. Meta’s talk of a bubble and Google’s massive marketing spend are top-of-funnel noise; I want to see the bottom-of-funnel results. Will Meta's new AI-driven ad tools for the holiday season produce a measurable lift in ROI for SMBs, or will they just increase complexity? Secondly, I’m watching the quiet moves in data access. As platforms like X pull back free API access and publishers mull over \"consent or pay\" models, the open web that fueled the last decade of growth is closing. This will consolidate power and make building a direct, \"reachable audience\" not just a good strategy, but the only strategy for survival. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n",{"title":3438,"description":3585},"this-week-in-marketing-ai-bubble-fears-tiktok-ban-delay-rebrand-outrage-made-by-google-event","en/insights/this-week-in-marketing-ai-bubble-fears-tiktok-ban-delay-rebrand-outrage-made-by-google-event",[],"zWZO44ZfAjD5ntJWrGM8e8ASr0of_6jWHa0_pES0p5M",{"id":3596,"title":3597,"body":3598,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":2859,"description":3759,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":3760,"locale":225,"meta":3761,"navigation":228,"path":3762,"rawbody":3763,"seo":3764,"slug":3765,"stem":3766,"summary":3759,"tags":3767,"tts":228,"__hash__":3768},"blog/en/insights/this-week-in-marketing-spotify-tiktok-dms-vs-instagram-ai-chatbots-linkedin-ads-youtube-hype.md","This Week in Marketing – Spotify & TikTok DMs vs Instagram, AI Chatbots, LinkedIn Ads & YouTube Hype",{"type":10,"value":3599,"toc":3749},[3600,3602,3637,3639,3642,3645,3648,3654,3666,3669,3674,3684,3687,3692,3699,3702,3707,3714,3717,3722,3735,3737,3740,3743,3746],[91,3601,2628],{"id":2627},[2630,3603,3604,3608,3613,3618,3623,3628,3633],{},[268,3605,3606],{},[793,3607,2637],{"href":2636},[268,3609,3610],{},[793,3611,3612],{"href":2642},"Social & Platform News",[268,3614,3615],{},[793,3616,3617],{"href":2648},"The AI & Ad-Tech Collision",[268,3619,3620],{},[793,3621,3622],{"href":2654},"The Regulatory and Political Arena",[268,3624,3625],{},[793,3626,3627],{"href":2660},"TikTok, Instagram, and The Creator War",[268,3629,3630],{},[793,3631,3632],{"href":2666},"Google & YouTube: Owning Search and Video",[268,3634,3635],{},[793,3636,2685],{"href":2672},[91,3638,2637],{"id":2436},[16,3640,3641],{},"This week feels like an acceleration of a long-running trend: the great platform convergence. Every app is starting to look like every other app, and the new battleground is your inbox. Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok are all doubling down on direct messaging, not because they want you to chat, but because they want to own the relationship between creators, brands, and audiences. They are building deeper, stickier ecosystems to keep you from leaving. For founders and builders, this is both an opportunity and a warning. It’s a signal that direct, one-on-one communication is the highest-value interaction online, but it's also a reminder that when you build on rented land, the landlord can change the rules—or the rent—at any moment.",[16,3643,3644],{},"Simultaneously, the AI arms race continues, but a new front has opened: liability. With OpenAI and Meta facing scrutiny over teen safety, the era of consequence-free AI development is over. This pragmatic shift from pure innovation to responsible implementation will define the next phase of the industry. As we break it down, we'll look at this not as a collection of random updates, but as a series of strategic moves on a global chessboard.",[91,3646,3612],{"id":3647},"social-platform-news",[16,3649,3650,3653],{},[19,3651,3652],{},"The \"What\""," Spotify has introduced DMs, allowing users to share audio content and send messages. Concurrently, Instagram announced new upgrades to messaging specifically for creators. LinkedIn is deepening its push into video ads, partnering with more publishers and creators to spur growth. In a shift, Bluesky is reportedly becoming the platform of choice for the science community, while the blogging service TypePad is shutting down, taking all user-created blog content with it. Mastodon has stated it doesn't have the resources to comply with new age verification laws.",[16,3655,3656,337,3659,3661,3662,3665],{},[19,3657,3658],{},"The \"So What?\" (My Take):",[19,3660,2707],{}," The race to own the \"inbox\" is on. Spotify isn't just adding a feature; it's making a strategic play to increase on-platform engagement and capture the conversations ",[82,3663,3664],{},"about"," music and podcasts that currently happen elsewhere. For an SMB, this looks like yet another channel to monitor. The real insight here is what this trend validates: the immense value of a direct, permission-based line of communication with your audience. While these platforms fight to lock you into their DM ecosystems, it only strengthens the case for owning your audience through channels you control, like an email list. LinkedIn's video push is a predictable move to capture higher-funnel brand advertising budgets, creating an opportunity for B2B companies to build an audience on a platform that is still underserved with quality video content. The demise of TypePad is a stark lesson in pragmatic realism: never build your entire house on rented land. Every post, every follower, every piece of content you create on a third-party platform is an asset you don't truly own.",[91,3667,3617],{"id":3668},"the-ai-ad-tech-collision",[16,3670,3671,3673],{},[19,3672,3652],{}," Amazon has reversed its decision and is re-engaging with Google Shopping ads, a move expected to increase competition for performance marketers. This comes as Amazon also plans to compete more directly with The Trade Desk and Google in programmatic advertising. On the AI front, OpenAI is implementing parental controls for ChatGPT after a teen's death was linked to the chatbot. A parent study also found Meta’s AI chatbot gave self-harm advice to teen accounts, prompting Meta to add new AI safeguards. In a sign of the escalating tech battle, Microsoft is developing its own in-house AI models to reduce its dependency on OpenAI. Meanwhile, Perplexity has announced a plan to share revenue with publishers from its AI search results.",[16,3675,3676,337,3678,3680,3681],{},[19,3677,3658],{},[19,3679,2707],{}," This is a chess game between giants with SMBs as the pawns. Amazon re-entering the Google Ads auction is a purely economic decision that will immediately raise costs and competition for every e-commerce business buying those keywords. It’s a perfect example of why channel diversification isn't just a good idea; it's a survival tactic. The second-order effect is that it forces businesses to get smarter about unit economics and focus on customer lifetime value rather than just acquisition cost. The AI safety narrative is the inevitable hangover after the hype cycle. For founders building with AI, this is a clear signal: compliance, safety, and ethical guardrails are no longer optional—they are product requirements. Microsoft building its own models while being OpenAI's biggest partner is a classic strategic hedge. They are ensuring they control their own destiny. For the busy business owner, this means the AI tool you use today might be powered by a completely different engine tomorrow, reinforcing the need to focus on the problem you're solving, not the specific tool you're using. If you're building a business, you need to be thinking about these strategic undercurrents. ",[793,3682,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3683},[797],[91,3685,3622],{"id":3686},"the-regulatory-and-political-arena",[16,3688,3689,3691],{},[19,3690,3652],{}," Meta is launching a California super PAC to support pro-AI political candidates. This move coincides with OpenAI’s president and Andreessen Horowitz leading a separate $100 million pro-AI lobbying effort. In international politics, the EU is defending its digital taxes after criticism from Donald Trump, who had previously been pressed on the issue by Mark Zuckerberg. Regulatory issues are also impacting platforms directly, as Washington’s new digital ads tax is set to go into effect on October 1st. In the UK, 4chan has launched a legal case against the regulator Ofcom in a US federal court, challenging the Online Safety Act.",[16,3693,3694,337,3696,3698],{},[19,3695,3658],{},[19,3697,2707],{}," We are watching the formalization of \"Big AI\" as a political lobbying force, mirroring the playbook of every major industry before it. The economist's view is simple: where billions of dollars in future revenue are at stake, hundreds of millions will be spent on political influence to protect it. For founders, this means the regulatory landscape will be shaped by those with the deepest pockets. The strategic foresight here is to anticipate that compliance costs will rise and the \"rules of the game\" for AI will be written in Washington D.C. and Brussels, not just in Silicon Valley. The Washington digital ads tax is a microcosm of a larger trend. Governments see digital revenue as a new tax base, which will inevitably be passed down to the advertiser—the SMB. This is a direct hit to the bottom line for businesses in that state and a likely preview of what’s to come for others.",[91,3700,3627],{"id":3701},"tiktok-instagram-and-the-creator-war",[16,3703,3704,3706],{},[19,3705,3652],{}," TikTok is enhancing its DMs with voice notes and images. Financially, ByteDance is eyeing a valuation over $330 billion as its revenue surpasses Meta's, with non-US revenues surging 38%. The platform launched a \"TikTok for Artists\" insights platform and a new campaign, \"See Where Music Takes You.\" On the other side, Instagram is testing a \"Picture-in-Picture\" feature for Reels and adding new features for college students. Its sister platform, Threads, is testing in-stream text expansion and AI-powered search summaries.",[16,3708,3709,337,3711,3713],{},[19,3710,3658],{},[19,3712,2707],{}," This is a feature-for-feature arms race for creator loyalty and user attention. Adding voice and images to TikTok DMs is a direct shot at Instagram, designed to keep creator-audience conversations within the TikTok ecosystem. The financial numbers show the strategy is working; ByteDance's revenue growth is staggering. From a developer's mindset, the \"TikTok for Artists\" platform is a smart move to provide the tools creators need, making the platform stickier and giving them a reason to prioritize it. For the SMB champion, the lesson from Instagram and Threads is that Meta is still in reactive-but-fast-follower mode. They are shipping features quickly to plug gaps and keep users engaged. The key for a business owner is not to chase every new feature, but to understand the underlying goal: these platforms want to become the all-encompassing hub for content, community, and communication. Your job is to leverage their tools to pull engaged users back to a channel you own.",[91,3715,3632],{"id":3716},"google-youtube-owning-search-and-video",[16,3718,3719,3721],{},[19,3720,3652],{}," YouTube announced a global expansion of its \"Hype\" feature to 39 countries and continues to dominate TV viewing, capturing 13.4% for the sixth straight month. Google released its August 2025 spam update and fixed a crawling issue that was impacting some websites. For advertisers, Google Ads added loyalty features to boost shopper retention and expanded Performance Max channel reporting to the account level. The company is also building a Duolingo rival into its Translate app and has made its AI-powered video editor, Vids, available to everyone.",[16,3723,3724,337,3726,3728,3729,3731,3732],{},[19,3725,3658],{},[19,3727,2707],{}," Google and YouTube are fortifying their core businesses. Expanding \"Hype\" is a classic engagement play designed to create more real-time, event-driven viewing moments, competing directly with live platforms like Twitch and TikTok. Capturing over 13% of all TV viewing is a staggering statistic that confirms YouTube is no longer a secondary screen; it ",[82,3730,3562],{}," the primary screen for a massive audience. For advertisers, the new loyalty features in Google Ads are a critical development. It signals a strategic shift from a pure acquisition focus to empowering businesses to increase customer lifetime value—a much more sustainable growth model. This is a direct nod to the SMB champion, providing tools that help with retention, not just endless spending on new clicks. The constant spam updates and bug fixes are the unglamorous but essential work of maintaining the core search product's integrity. As a founder, you don't need to track every algorithmic tweak, but you do need a long-term strategy for creating valuable content that isn't trying to game a system that is constantly changing. Building a real brand and a reachable audience is the only durable SEO strategy. ",[793,3733,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3734},[797],[91,3736,2685],{"id":2834},[16,3738,3739],{},"The signals this week point to a few key collisions I'll be tracking.",[16,3741,3742],{},"First, the platform war over the \"inbox.\" Now that Spotify is in the game, will we see monetization of DMs through ads or sponsored placements? And how will SMBs cope with yet another communication channel to manage? The fragmentation of customer communication is a massive operational headache waiting to happen.",[16,3744,3745],{},"Second, the practical application of AI liability. I’m watching for the first major regulatory fine or court ruling against an AI developer for harmful output. That event will send a shockwave through the industry and separate the pragmatic builders who prepared for it from the idealists who didn't.",[16,3747,3748],{},"Finally, the Amazon-Google ad skirmish. Amazon's return to Google Shopping will make the holiday season more expensive for e-commerce brands. The key question is whether this is a temporary tactic or the start of a new, prolonged cold war for retail ad budgets, and how it will force smaller players to innovate on channels they fully control. The answers will dictate strategy for thousands of businesses in the coming year.",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3750},[3751,3752,3753,3754,3755,3756,3757,3758],{"id":2627,"depth":217,"text":2628},{"id":2436,"depth":217,"text":2637},{"id":3647,"depth":217,"text":3612},{"id":3668,"depth":217,"text":3617},{"id":3686,"depth":217,"text":3622},{"id":3701,"depth":217,"text":3627},{"id":3716,"depth":217,"text":3632},{"id":2834,"depth":217,"text":2685},"Get the strategic analysis for this week in marketing. We break down the platform inbox wars, AI liability shifts, and what Google & TikTok's latest moves mean for you.","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ObnH!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20066343-1f7f-42e9-b1ad-ab242cee01ea_2443x1384.png",{},"/en/insights/this-week-in-marketing-spotify-tiktok-dms-vs-instagram-ai-chatbots-linkedin-ads-youtube-hype","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"This Week in Marketing – Spotify & TikTok DMs vs Instagram, AI Chatbots, LinkedIn Ads & YouTube Hype\"\\ndescription: \"Get the strategic analysis for this week in marketing. We break down the platform inbox wars, AI liability shifts, and what Google & TikTok's latest moves mean for you.\"\\nsummary: \"Get the strategic analysis for this week in marketing. We break down the platform inbox wars, AI liability shifts, and what Google & TikTok's latest moves mean for you.\"\\ntts: true\\nimage: \"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ObnH!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20066343-1f7f-42e9-b1ad-ab242cee01ea_2443x1384.png\"\\nslug: this-week-in-marketing-spotify-tiktok-dms-vs-instagram-ai-chatbots-linkedin-ads-youtube-hype\\ndate: 2025-09-01\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n## Table of Contents\\n\\n1. [The Big Picture](#section1)\\n2. [Social & Platform News](#section2)\\n3. [The AI & Ad-Tech Collision](#section3)\\n4. [The Regulatory and Political Arena](#section4)\\n5. [TikTok, Instagram, and The Creator War](#section5)\\n6. [Google & YouTube: Owning Search and Video](#section6)\\n7. [What I'm Watching Next](#section7)\\n\\n## The Big Picture\\n\\nThis week feels like an acceleration of a long-running trend: the great platform convergence. Every app is starting to look like every other app, and the new battleground is your inbox. Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok are all doubling down on direct messaging, not because they want you to chat, but because they want to own the relationship between creators, brands, and audiences. They are building deeper, stickier ecosystems to keep you from leaving. For founders and builders, this is both an opportunity and a warning. It’s a signal that direct, one-on-one communication is the highest-value interaction online, but it's also a reminder that when you build on rented land, the landlord can change the rules—or the rent—at any moment.\\n\\nSimultaneously, the AI arms race continues, but a new front has opened: liability. With OpenAI and Meta facing scrutiny over teen safety, the era of consequence-free AI development is over. This pragmatic shift from pure innovation to responsible implementation will define the next phase of the industry. As we break it down, we'll look at this not as a collection of random updates, but as a series of strategic moves on a global chessboard.\\n\\n## Social & Platform News\\n\\n**The \"What\"** Spotify has introduced DMs, allowing users to share audio content and send messages. Concurrently, Instagram announced new upgrades to messaging specifically for creators. LinkedIn is deepening its push into video ads, partnering with more publishers and creators to spur growth. In a shift, Bluesky is reportedly becoming the platform of choice for the science community, while the blogging service TypePad is shutting down, taking all user-created blog content with it. Mastodon has stated it doesn't have the resources to comply with new age verification laws.\\n\\n**The \"So What?\" (My Take):** **My Take:** The race to own the \"inbox\" is on. Spotify isn't just adding a feature; it's making a strategic play to increase on-platform engagement and capture the conversations *about* music and podcasts that currently happen elsewhere. For an SMB, this looks like yet another channel to monitor. The real insight here is what this trend validates: the immense value of a direct, permission-based line of communication with your audience. While these platforms fight to lock you into their DM ecosystems, it only strengthens the case for owning your audience through channels you control, like an email list. LinkedIn's video push is a predictable move to capture higher-funnel brand advertising budgets, creating an opportunity for B2B companies to build an audience on a platform that is still underserved with quality video content. The demise of TypePad is a stark lesson in pragmatic realism: never build your entire house on rented land. Every post, every follower, every piece of content you create on a third-party platform is an asset you don't truly own.\\n\\n## The AI & Ad-Tech Collision\\n\\n**The \"What\"** Amazon has reversed its decision and is re-engaging with Google Shopping ads, a move expected to increase competition for performance marketers. This comes as Amazon also plans to compete more directly with The Trade Desk and Google in programmatic advertising. On the AI front, OpenAI is implementing parental controls for ChatGPT after a teen's death was linked to the chatbot. A parent study also found Meta’s AI chatbot gave self-harm advice to teen accounts, prompting Meta to add new AI safeguards. In a sign of the escalating tech battle, Microsoft is developing its own in-house AI models to reduce its dependency on OpenAI. Meanwhile, Perplexity has announced a plan to share revenue with publishers from its AI search results.\\n\\n**The \"So What?\" (My Take):** **My Take:** This is a chess game between giants with SMBs as the pawns. Amazon re-entering the Google Ads auction is a purely economic decision that will immediately raise costs and competition for every e-commerce business buying those keywords. It’s a perfect example of why channel diversification isn't just a good idea; it's a survival tactic. The second-order effect is that it forces businesses to get smarter about unit economics and focus on customer lifetime value rather than just acquisition cost. The AI safety narrative is the inevitable hangover after the hype cycle. For founders building with AI, this is a clear signal: compliance, safety, and ethical guardrails are no longer optional—they are product requirements. Microsoft building its own models while being OpenAI's biggest partner is a classic strategic hedge. They are ensuring they control their own destiny. For the busy business owner, this means the AI tool you use today might be powered by a completely different engine tomorrow, reinforcing the need to focus on the problem you're solving, not the specific tool you're using. If you're building a business, you need to be thinking about these strategic undercurrents. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## The Regulatory and Political Arena\\n\\n**The \"What\"** Meta is launching a California super PAC to support pro-AI political candidates. This move coincides with OpenAI’s president and Andreessen Horowitz leading a separate $100 million pro-AI lobbying effort. In international politics, the EU is defending its digital taxes after criticism from Donald Trump, who had previously been pressed on the issue by Mark Zuckerberg. Regulatory issues are also impacting platforms directly, as Washington’s new digital ads tax is set to go into effect on October 1st. In the UK, 4chan has launched a legal case against the regulator Ofcom in a US federal court, challenging the Online Safety Act.\\n\\n**The \"So What?\" (My Take):** **My Take:** We are watching the formalization of \"Big AI\" as a political lobbying force, mirroring the playbook of every major industry before it. The economist's view is simple: where billions of dollars in future revenue are at stake, hundreds of millions will be spent on political influence to protect it. For founders, this means the regulatory landscape will be shaped by those with the deepest pockets. The strategic foresight here is to anticipate that compliance costs will rise and the \"rules of the game\" for AI will be written in Washington D.C. and Brussels, not just in Silicon Valley. The Washington digital ads tax is a microcosm of a larger trend. Governments see digital revenue as a new tax base, which will inevitably be passed down to the advertiser—the SMB. This is a direct hit to the bottom line for businesses in that state and a likely preview of what’s to come for others.\\n\\n## TikTok, Instagram, and The Creator War\\n\\n**The \"What\"** TikTok is enhancing its DMs with voice notes and images. Financially, ByteDance is eyeing a valuation over $330 billion as its revenue surpasses Meta's, with non-US revenues surging 38%. The platform launched a \"TikTok for Artists\" insights platform and a new campaign, \"See Where Music Takes You.\" On the other side, Instagram is testing a \"Picture-in-Picture\" feature for Reels and adding new features for college students. Its sister platform, Threads, is testing in-stream text expansion and AI-powered search summaries.\\n\\n**The \"So What?\" (My Take):** **My Take:** This is a feature-for-feature arms race for creator loyalty and user attention. Adding voice and images to TikTok DMs is a direct shot at Instagram, designed to keep creator-audience conversations within the TikTok ecosystem. The financial numbers show the strategy is working; ByteDance's revenue growth is staggering. From a developer's mindset, the \"TikTok for Artists\" platform is a smart move to provide the tools creators need, making the platform stickier and giving them a reason to prioritize it. For the SMB champion, the lesson from Instagram and Threads is that Meta is still in reactive-but-fast-follower mode. They are shipping features quickly to plug gaps and keep users engaged. The key for a business owner is not to chase every new feature, but to understand the underlying goal: these platforms want to become the all-encompassing hub for content, community, and communication. Your job is to leverage their tools to pull engaged users back to a channel you own.\\n\\n## Google & YouTube: Owning Search and Video\\n\\n**The \"What\"** YouTube announced a global expansion of its \"Hype\" feature to 39 countries and continues to dominate TV viewing, capturing 13.4% for the sixth straight month. Google released its August 2025 spam update and fixed a crawling issue that was impacting some websites. For advertisers, Google Ads added loyalty features to boost shopper retention and expanded Performance Max channel reporting to the account level. The company is also building a Duolingo rival into its Translate app and has made its AI-powered video editor, Vids, available to everyone.\\n\\n**The \"So What?\" (My Take):** **My Take:** Google and YouTube are fortifying their core businesses. Expanding \"Hype\" is a classic engagement play designed to create more real-time, event-driven viewing moments, competing directly with live platforms like Twitch and TikTok. Capturing over 13% of all TV viewing is a staggering statistic that confirms YouTube is no longer a secondary screen; it *is* the primary screen for a massive audience. For advertisers, the new loyalty features in Google Ads are a critical development. It signals a strategic shift from a pure acquisition focus to empowering businesses to increase customer lifetime value—a much more sustainable growth model. This is a direct nod to the SMB champion, providing tools that help with retention, not just endless spending on new clicks. The constant spam updates and bug fixes are the unglamorous but essential work of maintaining the core search product's integrity. As a founder, you don't need to track every algorithmic tweak, but you do need a long-term strategy for creating valuable content that isn't trying to game a system that is constantly changing. Building a real brand and a reachable audience is the only durable SEO strategy. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## What I'm Watching Next\\n\\nThe signals this week point to a few key collisions I'll be tracking.\\n\\nFirst, the platform war over the \"inbox.\" Now that Spotify is in the game, will we see monetization of DMs through ads or sponsored placements? And how will SMBs cope with yet another communication channel to manage? The fragmentation of customer communication is a massive operational headache waiting to happen.\\n\\nSecond, the practical application of AI liability. I’m watching for the first major regulatory fine or court ruling against an AI developer for harmful output. That event will send a shockwave through the industry and separate the pragmatic builders who prepared for it from the idealists who didn't.\\n\\nFinally, the Amazon-Google ad skirmish. Amazon's return to Google Shopping will make the holiday season more expensive for e-commerce brands. The key question is whether this is a temporary tactic or the start of a new, prolonged cold war for retail ad budgets, and how it will force smaller players to innovate on channels they fully control. The answers will dictate strategy for thousands of businesses in the coming year.\\n",{"title":3597,"description":3759},"this-week-in-marketing-spotify-tiktok-dms-vs-instagram-ai-chatbots-linkedin-ads-youtube-hype","en/insights/this-week-in-marketing-spotify-tiktok-dms-vs-instagram-ai-chatbots-linkedin-ads-youtube-hype",[],"nZnKXvMNRk7m22R3tnNzMmEGSGh2uIjD8obw3D1pBZc",{"id":3770,"title":3771,"body":3772,"category":2154,"createdBy":2508,"date":4003,"description":4004,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":3816,"locale":225,"meta":4005,"navigation":228,"path":4006,"rawbody":4007,"seo":4008,"slug":4009,"stem":4010,"summary":4004,"tags":4011,"tts":228,"__hash__":4012},"blog/en/insights/this-week-s-insights-platform-risk-ai-deals-and-the-battle-for-authenticity.md","This Week's Insights: Platform Risk, AI Deals, and the Battle for Authenticity",{"type":10,"value":3773,"toc":3993},[3774,3776,3811,3817,3819,3822,3828,3834,3837,3843,3849,3855,3860,3866,3869,3875,3878,3881,3886,3892,3897,3903,3906,3909,3912,3917,3923,3928,3934,3937,3940,3943,3948,3953,3959,3962,3967,3972,3975,3981,3983,3986],[91,3775,2628],{"id":2627},[2630,3777,3778,3782,3787,3792,3797,3802,3807],{},[268,3779,3780],{},[793,3781,2637],{"href":2636},[268,3783,3784],{},[793,3785,3786],{"href":2642},"Macro & Corporate Moves: The Platform & Portfolio Squeeze",[268,3788,3789],{},[793,3790,3791],{"href":2648},"The Authenticity Wars: Brand Campaigns & Culture Clashes",[268,3793,3794],{},[793,3795,3796],{"href":2654},"Distribution, Disruption, and Manufactured Scarcity",[268,3798,3799],{},[793,3800,3801],{"href":2660},"AI, Identity, and the Coming Trust Recession",[268,3803,3804],{},[793,3805,3806],{"href":2666},"Agency Landscape: Consolidation, Contraction, and a Flight to Quality",[268,3808,3809],{},[793,3810,2685],{"href":2672},[16,3812,3813],{},[103,3814],{"alt":3815,"src":3816},"Image 1 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JbVF!,w_520,h_272,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff7c58c1-e690-4463-903c-40cf75b248b8_10667x6000.jpeg",[91,3818,2637],{"id":2436},[16,3820,3821],{},"This week, the signal is clear: the platforms we build on are shifting beneath our feet, the value of proprietary data is skyrocketing, and the line between authentic and artificial is becoming the new competitive battleground. We're seeing major players make chess moves that will have ripple effects for years, from Apple tightening its grip on messaging to Amazon paying a premium for high-quality AI training data. For founders and builders, these aren't abstract headlines; they are direct indicators of where the risk and opportunity lie. The core challenge remains the same: how do you build a resilient business and a direct line to your customers when the rules of the game can change overnight? Let's break it down.",[16,3823,3824],{},[103,3825],{"alt":3826,"src":3827},"Image 3 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_L36!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22cabaf0-a437-483c-a9fb-acf71ce426f2_1100x220.png",[16,3829,3830],{},[103,3831],{"alt":3832,"src":3833},"Image 2 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JnHP!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F01e1bfca-7b3a-4e58-80e6-f8bb4cb10eb2_1100x220.png",[91,3835,3786],{"id":3836},"macro-corporate-moves-the-platform-portfolio-squeeze",[16,3838,3839,3842],{},[19,3840,3841],{},"The What (Synthesis):"," The economic picture is mixed. In the UK, Deloitte's consumer confidence index fell 2.6 points, while US consumer confidence saw a slight improvement despite concerns over tariffs. The U.S. economy grew at a 3% annualized rate in Q2. On the corporate front, Reddit's shares jumped 20% after beating sales and guidance expectations. Conversely, Novo Nordisk shares dropped 20%. In a major strategic shift, Dotdash Meredith is rebranding to People Inc., doubling down on its most valuable asset. Amazon struck a deal to pay The New York Times at least $20 million annually to use its content for training AI models. LVMH is reportedly exploring a sale of the Marc Jacobs brand. And in a critical development for anyone relying on SMS marketing, Apple's upcoming iOS 26 text filters are projected to cost political campaigns millions, a warning shot for all marketers.",[16,3844,3845],{},[103,3846],{"alt":3847,"src":3848},"Image 5 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iulT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F26ac2d3e-535c-448a-93bb-6b4ec118717f_2112x1569.png",[16,3850,3851],{},[103,3852],{"alt":3853,"src":3854},"Image 4 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JbVF!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff7c58c1-e690-4463-903c-40cf75b248b8_10667x6000.jpeg",[16,3856,3857,3859],{},[19,3858,2707],{}," Three moves here are critical for every founder to understand.",[16,3861,3862],{},[103,3863],{"alt":3864,"src":3865},"Image 6 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!C2-c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbab03077-5681-4bcc-9cfe-8f6d494ae8b7_1100x220.png",[16,3867,3868],{},"First, the Amazon/NYT deal is a landmark event that puts a concrete price tag on high-quality, human-generated content as fuel for AI. Amazon isn't just buying articles; it's buying a trusted, structured, and coherent data set to train its models. For any business, this highlights the latent value of your proprietary content. Your blog posts, customer service transcripts, and product descriptions aren't just marketing material; they are a potential training asset. The question you should be asking is: what unique data ecosystem are we building, and how can we leverage it?",[16,3870,3871,3872],{},"Second, Apple's iOS 26 update is a textbook example of platform risk. For years, businesses have been told to build their lists, but this move shows that even a direct channel like SMS is not immune to the whims of a gatekeeper. When a platform you don't own can unilaterally degrade your ability to reach your customers, your business is vulnerable. This is the \"Reachable Audience\" Doctrine in action. It reinforces the absolute necessity of owning your audience through diversified, permission-based channels, with email being the most resilient. Never build your entire house on rented land. ",[793,3873,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3874},[797],[16,3876,3877],{},"Finally, LVMH exploring a sale of Marc Jacobs while Dotdash Meredith rebrands to People Inc. tells a story of portfolio optimization. In an uncertain economy, conglomerates shed non-core assets and double down on their winners. LVMH is a chess player, constantly refining its portfolio for maximum performance. Dotdash Meredith recognized that the \"People\" brand has more equity and clarity than its corporate parent. For an SMB, the lesson is about focus. What is your \"People\" magazine? What is your hero product or service? In a downturn, you win by focusing your resources on what you do best, not by trying to be everything to everyone.",[91,3879,3791],{"id":3880},"the-authenticity-wars-brand-campaigns-culture-clashes",[16,3882,3883,3885],{},[19,3884,3841],{}," American Eagle faced significant backlash for its Sydney Sweeney \"great jeans\" campaign, leading the company to work with a crisis PR firm. Rival Abercrombie & Fitch quickly capitalized on the moment, creating social content that subtly jabbed at the campaign. Dunkin's ad featuring Gavin Casalegno's \"genetics\" drew similar comparisons to the Sweeney ad's tone. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty is expanding into fragrance, using a scratch-and-sniff OOH campaign to drive interest. In the creator world, Kendrick Lamar launched a new creative agency, Project 3, with Dave Free. And in a comeback story, Ty Haney is attempting to give Outdoor Voices another go.",[16,3887,3888],{},[103,3889],{"alt":3890,"src":3891},"Image 7 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!qR5-!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc028b43d-3be6-4777-91d8-12eb6b594a34_2112x1352.png",[16,3893,3894,3896],{},[19,3895,2707],{}," The American Eagle saga is a masterclass in what happens when a brand's message is misaligned with cultural sentiment. The backlash wasn't just about the ad; it was a reaction to a perceived lack of substance and a return to a simplistic, outdated mode of advertising. The key takeaway for any founder is that execution risk is real. You can have a big star and a big budget, but if the message feels tone-deaf, the market will reject it.",[16,3898,3899],{},[103,3900],{"alt":3901,"src":3902},"Image 8 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BsxZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bec7762-208b-4446-813b-9b479a8037e8_1100x220.png",[16,3904,3905],{},"The more interesting move is Abercrombie's response. They didn't need a Super Bowl budget to enter the conversation. They used agility and cultural awareness to create a campaign that felt smarter and more in tune with the consumer. This is the athlete's mindset in marketing: see an opponent stumble and execute a quick, decisive counter-play. For an SMB, this is gold. You can outmaneuver bigger competitors by being faster and more culturally fluent.",[16,3907,3908],{},"On the other side of the spectrum, Rare Beauty's scratch-and-sniff campaign is a smart fusion of digital hype and physical experience. It creates a tangible, memorable interaction that cuts through the noise. It’s a reminder that even in a digital-first world, engaging the other senses can be a powerful differentiator. It’s not just about what they see on the screen; it’s about creating a multi-sensory brand experience.",[91,3910,3796],{"id":3911},"distribution-disruption-and-manufactured-scarcity",[16,3913,3914,3916],{},[19,3915,3841],{}," In a major retail shift, Ikea kitchens will now be sold at Best Buy. In the world of brand collaborations, Subway is continuing its partnership with Netflix for \"Happy Gilmore 2\" with an immersive pop-up experience. Demonstrating the power of cult followings, the popular \"Bluey gnomes\" returned to the Australian hardware store Bunnings for $19 after being resold on eBay for as much as $1000. In the beverage sector, the rapid rise of China's Luckin Coffee is posing a serious challenge to Starbucks' dominance. Finally, New York's MTA, which banned alcohol ads seven years ago, is now reconsidering the ban to raise funds.",[16,3918,3919],{},[103,3920],{"alt":3921,"src":3922},"Image 9 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LkSh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc20a806e-eacc-42ec-9908-41d9e95b68da_1024x576.jpeg",[16,3924,3925,3927],{},[19,3926,2707],{}," The Ikea/Best Buy partnership is a strategic masterstroke in distribution. Ikea is acknowledging a fundamental truth: you must go where your customers already are. They are trading the control of their own store environment for access to Best Buy's massive retail footprint. For any business owner, this is a crucial lesson in overcoming friction. Are you making it as easy as possible for customers to buy from you? Or are you forcing them to go out of their way? This is a move from a destination brand to a convenience brand, and it will unlock a new customer segment for them.",[16,3929,3930],{},[103,3931],{"alt":3932,"src":3933},"Image 10 from source article","https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dvf1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6907bdfa-a15a-446c-88ee-482c459b5ce8_1024x470.jpeg",[16,3935,3936],{},"The Bluey gnomes story is a perfect microcosm of modern fandom and manufactured scarcity. Bunnings and the show's creators built a product that tapped directly into the heart of its fan community. The initial scarcity (whether intentional or not) created immense hype, turning a $19 gnome into a status symbol. The subsequent re-release satisfies the broader market while reinforcing the product's cult status. This is a playbook for any niche business: super-serve your core audience, create something they feel is \"theirs,\" and watch them become your most powerful marketing engine.",[16,3938,3939],{},"Finally, the Luckin Coffee vs. Starbucks battle is a classic case of a tech-native disruptor taking on an established incumbent. Starbucks built its empire on the \"third place\"—the experience, the ambiance. Luckin built its empire on the smartphone—efficiency, discounts, and seamless digital ordering. It's a reminder that your biggest competitive threat often doesn't look like you. It attacks your business model from a completely different angle. The MTA's reversal on alcohol ads is a simple economic reality check: when revenue is needed, principles can become flexible.",[91,3941,3801],{"id":3942},"ai-identity-and-the-coming-trust-recession",[16,3944,3945,3947],{},[19,3946,3841],{}," The uncanny valley is getting crowded. A video of AI-generated bunnies on a trampoline is reportedly causing a \"crisis of confidence\" on TikTok, as users struggle to distinguish real from fake. This concern hit the mainstream when Vogue magazine ran an ad for Guess featuring what readers called \"disturbing\" AI models. It was later revealed that three AI-generated ads were in the magazine, but only one was labeled as such.",[16,3949,3950,3952],{},[19,3951,2707],{}," This isn't just about weird AI bunnies. This is the beginning of a widespread \"trust recession.\" As the cost to generate high-quality synthetic content approaches zero, the value of verifiably authentic content will skyrocket. The Vogue/Guess incident is a canary in the coal mine. The failure to clearly label AI-generated content isn't just an oversight; it's a strategic choice driven by the desire to pass it off as real. This will backfire.",[16,3954,3955,3956],{},"For founders and builders, this presents both a threat and an enormous opportunity. The threat is that the noise will become deafening, and your audience will become increasingly skeptical of everything they see. The opportunity lies in becoming a trusted source. This is where the \"Reachable Audience\" Doctrine becomes your shield. Your email list, your community, your direct relationships—these are channels where you have built trust over time. As the open platforms get flooded with synthetic content, your permission-based audience becomes an invaluable asset. Proving you are real, and that the content you create is by and for humans, will become a competitive advantage. The businesses that thrive will be those that double down on transparency and authentic connection. ",[793,3957,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3958},[797],[91,3960,3806],{"id":3961},"agency-landscape-consolidation-contraction-and-a-flight-to-quality",[16,3963,3964,3966],{},[19,3965,3841],{}," The advertising agency world is in flux. Major holding companies are making strategic acquisitions, with R/GA buying an AI firm and Publicis snapping up sports marketing agency Bespoke and data firm p-value Group. WPP lost a key executive, Laurent Ezekiel, to Publicis. Financially, Stagwell reported a return to revenue growth, while IPG navigated a 3.5% organic revenue decline. On the ground, two independent Sydney agencies went under, owing a collective $7 million. In major account moves, Publicis won PayPal's global media, Dentsu secured the BMW Group media account across Europe, TBWA won the Woolworths Everyday Rewards pitch, and GUT was named the global agency for luxury brand RIMOWA.",[16,3968,3969,3971],{},[19,3970,2707],{}," Look at the acquisitions and the big account wins, and you'll see where the money is flowing: data, AI, and specialized commerce. The holding companies aren't just buying headcount; they're buying capabilities. Publicis winning PayPal and Dentsu winning BMW aren't coincidences. These are massive, complex clients who need sophisticated data and technology partners, not just creative shops. The era of the generalist agency is fading.",[16,3973,3974],{},"The collapse of the two Sydney indies is a harsh but necessary reminder of the athlete's reality: cash flow is king. For any founder, especially those who use agency partners, this is a cautionary tale. Ensure your partners are on solid financial footing.",[16,3976,3977,3978],{},"For the busy business owner, this churn means you have to be a more discerning buyer. Don't be swayed by a big legacy name. Ask potential partners about their tech stack. Ask for case studies on how they've used data to drive real business outcomes. The best partners today are those who can blend strategic creativity with rigorous, data-driven execution. As the market consolidates, the best-performing agencies will be those that can prove their direct impact on the bottom line. Finding the right one is a critical growth lever. ",[793,3979,2716],{"href":2714,"rel":3980},[797],[91,3982,2685],{"id":2834},[16,3984,3985],{},"I'm keeping a close eye on two things. First, the fallout from Apple's iOS 26 filter. We'll see the immediate impact on political fundraising, but the second-order effect will be a rapid acceleration of brands trying to pull users from SMS to more resilient owned channels like email and dedicated apps. Watch for a surge in \"download our app\" promotions.",[16,3987,3988,3989,3992],{},"Second, the brand response to the \"trust recession.\" Who will be the first major brand to radically embrace transparency and label ",[82,3990,3991],{},"all"," of their marketing content, distinguishing between human-made, AI-assisted, and fully AI-generated? This seems like a defensive move now, but I predict it will become a powerful offensive strategy to build brand equity with a skeptical consumer base. The first to do it well will capture a significant trust premium.",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":3994},[3995,3996,3997,3998,3999,4000,4001,4002],{"id":2627,"depth":217,"text":2628},{"id":2436,"depth":217,"text":2637},{"id":3836,"depth":217,"text":3786},{"id":3880,"depth":217,"text":3791},{"id":3911,"depth":217,"text":3796},{"id":3942,"depth":217,"text":3801},{"id":3961,"depth":217,"text":3806},{"id":2834,"depth":217,"text":2685},"2025-08-02","From Apple's new iOS 26 filter to the AI trust recession, the digital landscape is shifting. Discover key insights on platform risk and how to build a resilient brand.",{},"/en/insights/this-week-s-insights-platform-risk-ai-deals-and-the-battle-for-authenticity","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"This Week's Insights: Platform Risk, AI Deals, and the Battle for Authenticity\"\\ndescription: \"From Apple's new iOS 26 filter to the AI trust recession, the digital landscape is shifting. Discover key insights on platform risk and how to build a resilient brand.\"\\nsummary: \"From Apple's new iOS 26 filter to the AI trust recession, the digital landscape is shifting. Discover key insights on platform risk and how to build a resilient brand.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: this-week-s-insights-platform-risk-ai-deals-and-the-battle-for-authenticity\\ndate: 2025-08-02\\nimage: https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JbVF!,w_520,h_272,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff7c58c1-e690-4463-903c-40cf75b248b8_10667x6000.jpeg\\ncategory: today-in-ai\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n## Table of Contents\\n\\n1. [The Big Picture](#section1)\\n2. [Macro & Corporate Moves: The Platform & Portfolio Squeeze](#section2)\\n3. [The Authenticity Wars: Brand Campaigns & Culture Clashes](#section3)\\n4. [Distribution, Disruption, and Manufactured Scarcity](#section4)\\n5. [AI, Identity, and the Coming Trust Recession](#section5)\\n6. [Agency Landscape: Consolidation, Contraction, and a Flight to Quality](#section6)\\n7. [What I'm Watching Next](#section7)\\n\\n\\n\\n## The Big Picture\\n\\nThis week, the signal is clear: the platforms we build on are shifting beneath our feet, the value of proprietary data is skyrocketing, and the line between authentic and artificial is becoming the new competitive battleground. We're seeing major players make chess moves that will have ripple effects for years, from Apple tightening its grip on messaging to Amazon paying a premium for high-quality AI training data. For founders and builders, these aren't abstract headlines; they are direct indicators of where the risk and opportunity lie. The core challenge remains the same: how do you build a resilient business and a direct line to your customers when the rules of the game can change overnight? Let's break it down.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n## Macro & Corporate Moves: The Platform & Portfolio Squeeze\\n\\n**The What (Synthesis):** The economic picture is mixed. In the UK, Deloitte's consumer confidence index fell 2.6 points, while US consumer confidence saw a slight improvement despite concerns over tariffs. The U.S. economy grew at a 3% annualized rate in Q2. On the corporate front, Reddit's shares jumped 20% after beating sales and guidance expectations. Conversely, Novo Nordisk shares dropped 20%. In a major strategic shift, Dotdash Meredith is rebranding to People Inc., doubling down on its most valuable asset. Amazon struck a deal to pay The New York Times at least $20 million annually to use its content for training AI models. LVMH is reportedly exploring a sale of the Marc Jacobs brand. And in a critical development for anyone relying on SMS marketing, Apple's upcoming iOS 26 text filters are projected to cost political campaigns millions, a warning shot for all marketers.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n**My Take:** Three moves here are critical for every founder to understand.\\n\\n\\n\\nFirst, the Amazon/NYT deal is a landmark event that puts a concrete price tag on high-quality, human-generated content as fuel for AI. Amazon isn't just buying articles; it's buying a trusted, structured, and coherent data set to train its models. For any business, this highlights the latent value of your proprietary content. Your blog posts, customer service transcripts, and product descriptions aren't just marketing material; they are a potential training asset. The question you should be asking is: what unique data ecosystem are we building, and how can we leverage it?\\n\\nSecond, Apple's iOS 26 update is a textbook example of platform risk. For years, businesses have been told to build their lists, but this move shows that even a direct channel like SMS is not immune to the whims of a gatekeeper. When a platform you don't own can unilaterally degrade your ability to reach your customers, your business is vulnerable. This is the \"Reachable Audience\" Doctrine in action. It reinforces the absolute necessity of owning your audience through diversified, permission-based channels, with email being the most resilient. Never build your entire house on rented land. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\nFinally, LVMH exploring a sale of Marc Jacobs while Dotdash Meredith rebrands to People Inc. tells a story of portfolio optimization. In an uncertain economy, conglomerates shed non-core assets and double down on their winners. LVMH is a chess player, constantly refining its portfolio for maximum performance. Dotdash Meredith recognized that the \"People\" brand has more equity and clarity than its corporate parent. For an SMB, the lesson is about focus. What is your \"People\" magazine? What is your hero product or service? In a downturn, you win by focusing your resources on what you do best, not by trying to be everything to everyone.\\n\\n## The Authenticity Wars: Brand Campaigns & Culture Clashes\\n\\n**The What (Synthesis):** American Eagle faced significant backlash for its Sydney Sweeney \"great jeans\" campaign, leading the company to work with a crisis PR firm. Rival Abercrombie & Fitch quickly capitalized on the moment, creating social content that subtly jabbed at the campaign. Dunkin's ad featuring Gavin Casalegno's \"genetics\" drew similar comparisons to the Sweeney ad's tone. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty is expanding into fragrance, using a scratch-and-sniff OOH campaign to drive interest. In the creator world, Kendrick Lamar launched a new creative agency, Project 3, with Dave Free. And in a comeback story, Ty Haney is attempting to give Outdoor Voices another go.\\n\\n\\n\\n**My Take:** The American Eagle saga is a masterclass in what happens when a brand's message is misaligned with cultural sentiment. The backlash wasn't just about the ad; it was a reaction to a perceived lack of substance and a return to a simplistic, outdated mode of advertising. The key takeaway for any founder is that execution risk is real. You can have a big star and a big budget, but if the message feels tone-deaf, the market will reject it.\\n\\n\\n\\nThe more interesting move is Abercrombie's response. They didn't need a Super Bowl budget to enter the conversation. They used agility and cultural awareness to create a campaign that felt smarter and more in tune with the consumer. This is the athlete's mindset in marketing: see an opponent stumble and execute a quick, decisive counter-play. For an SMB, this is gold. You can outmaneuver bigger competitors by being faster and more culturally fluent.\\n\\nOn the other side of the spectrum, Rare Beauty's scratch-and-sniff campaign is a smart fusion of digital hype and physical experience. It creates a tangible, memorable interaction that cuts through the noise. It’s a reminder that even in a digital-first world, engaging the other senses can be a powerful differentiator. It’s not just about what they see on the screen; it’s about creating a multi-sensory brand experience.\\n\\n## Distribution, Disruption, and Manufactured Scarcity\\n\\n**The What (Synthesis):** In a major retail shift, Ikea kitchens will now be sold at Best Buy. In the world of brand collaborations, Subway is continuing its partnership with Netflix for \"Happy Gilmore 2\" with an immersive pop-up experience. Demonstrating the power of cult followings, the popular \"Bluey gnomes\" returned to the Australian hardware store Bunnings for $19 after being resold on eBay for as much as $1000. In the beverage sector, the rapid rise of China's Luckin Coffee is posing a serious challenge to Starbucks' dominance. Finally, New York's MTA, which banned alcohol ads seven years ago, is now reconsidering the ban to raise funds.\\n\\n\\n\\n**My Take:** The Ikea/Best Buy partnership is a strategic masterstroke in distribution. Ikea is acknowledging a fundamental truth: you must go where your customers already are. They are trading the control of their own store environment for access to Best Buy's massive retail footprint. For any business owner, this is a crucial lesson in overcoming friction. Are you making it as easy as possible for customers to buy from you? Or are you forcing them to go out of their way? This is a move from a destination brand to a convenience brand, and it will unlock a new customer segment for them.\\n\\n\\n\\nThe Bluey gnomes story is a perfect microcosm of modern fandom and manufactured scarcity. Bunnings and the show's creators built a product that tapped directly into the heart of its fan community. The initial scarcity (whether intentional or not) created immense hype, turning a $19 gnome into a status symbol. The subsequent re-release satisfies the broader market while reinforcing the product's cult status. This is a playbook for any niche business: super-serve your core audience, create something they feel is \"theirs,\" and watch them become your most powerful marketing engine.\\n\\nFinally, the Luckin Coffee vs. Starbucks battle is a classic case of a tech-native disruptor taking on an established incumbent. Starbucks built its empire on the \"third place\"—the experience, the ambiance. Luckin built its empire on the smartphone—efficiency, discounts, and seamless digital ordering. It's a reminder that your biggest competitive threat often doesn't look like you. It attacks your business model from a completely different angle. The MTA's reversal on alcohol ads is a simple economic reality check: when revenue is needed, principles can become flexible.\\n\\n## AI, Identity, and the Coming Trust Recession\\n\\n**The What (Synthesis):** The uncanny valley is getting crowded. A video of AI-generated bunnies on a trampoline is reportedly causing a \"crisis of confidence\" on TikTok, as users struggle to distinguish real from fake. This concern hit the mainstream when Vogue magazine ran an ad for Guess featuring what readers called \"disturbing\" AI models. It was later revealed that three AI-generated ads were in the magazine, but only one was labeled as such.\\n\\n**My Take:** This isn't just about weird AI bunnies. This is the beginning of a widespread \"trust recession.\" As the cost to generate high-quality synthetic content approaches zero, the value of verifiably authentic content will skyrocket. The Vogue/Guess incident is a canary in the coal mine. The failure to clearly label AI-generated content isn't just an oversight; it's a strategic choice driven by the desire to pass it off as real. This will backfire.\\n\\nFor founders and builders, this presents both a threat and an enormous opportunity. The threat is that the noise will become deafening, and your audience will become increasingly skeptical of everything they see. The opportunity lies in becoming a trusted source. This is where the \"Reachable Audience\" Doctrine becomes your shield. Your email list, your community, your direct relationships—these are channels where you have built trust over time. As the open platforms get flooded with synthetic content, your permission-based audience becomes an invaluable asset. Proving you are real, and that the content you create is by and for humans, will become a competitive advantage. The businesses that thrive will be those that double down on transparency and authentic connection. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## Agency Landscape: Consolidation, Contraction, and a Flight to Quality\\n\\n**The What (Synthesis):** The advertising agency world is in flux. Major holding companies are making strategic acquisitions, with R/GA buying an AI firm and Publicis snapping up sports marketing agency Bespoke and data firm p-value Group. WPP lost a key executive, Laurent Ezekiel, to Publicis. Financially, Stagwell reported a return to revenue growth, while IPG navigated a 3.5% organic revenue decline. On the ground, two independent Sydney agencies went under, owing a collective $7 million. In major account moves, Publicis won PayPal's global media, Dentsu secured the BMW Group media account across Europe, TBWA won the Woolworths Everyday Rewards pitch, and GUT was named the global agency for luxury brand RIMOWA.\\n\\n**My Take:** Look at the acquisitions and the big account wins, and you'll see where the money is flowing: data, AI, and specialized commerce. The holding companies aren't just buying headcount; they're buying capabilities. Publicis winning PayPal and Dentsu winning BMW aren't coincidences. These are massive, complex clients who need sophisticated data and technology partners, not just creative shops. The era of the generalist agency is fading.\\n\\nThe collapse of the two Sydney indies is a harsh but necessary reminder of the athlete's reality: cash flow is king. For any founder, especially those who use agency partners, this is a cautionary tale. Ensure your partners are on solid financial footing.\\n\\nFor the busy business owner, this churn means you have to be a more discerning buyer. Don't be swayed by a big legacy name. Ask potential partners about their tech stack. Ask for case studies on how they've used data to drive real business outcomes. The best partners today are those who can blend strategic creativity with rigorous, data-driven execution. As the market consolidates, the best-performing agencies will be those that can prove their direct impact on the bottom line. Finding the right one is a critical growth lever. [Join other founders and builders getting insights like these delivered to their inbox.](https://www.alenmalkoc.com)\\n\\n## What I'm Watching Next\\n\\nI'm keeping a close eye on two things. First, the fallout from Apple's iOS 26 filter. We'll see the immediate impact on political fundraising, but the second-order effect will be a rapid acceleration of brands trying to pull users from SMS to more resilient owned channels like email and dedicated apps. Watch for a surge in \"download our app\" promotions.\\n\\nSecond, the brand response to the \"trust recession.\" Who will be the first major brand to radically embrace transparency and label *all* of their marketing content, distinguishing between human-made, AI-assisted, and fully AI-generated? This seems like a defensive move now, but I predict it will become a powerful offensive strategy to build brand equity with a skeptical consumer base. The first to do it well will capture a significant trust premium.",{"title":3771,"description":4004},"this-week-s-insights-platform-risk-ai-deals-and-the-battle-for-authenticity","en/insights/this-week-s-insights-platform-risk-ai-deals-and-the-battle-for-authenticity",[],"H6Osjqum2otLY3jTpDBlwu-zittGtsFTF4Hm2xcMySg",{"id":4014,"title":4015,"body":4016,"category":2120,"createdBy":2508,"date":2557,"description":4044,"extension":224,"faqs":4,"featured":384,"icon":4,"image":4035,"locale":225,"meta":4045,"navigation":228,"path":4046,"rawbody":4047,"seo":4048,"slug":4049,"stem":4050,"summary":4044,"tags":4051,"tts":228,"__hash__":4054},"blog/en/insights/together-group-luxury-agencies.md","Together Group Aims to Become the LVMH of Luxury Agencies",{"type":10,"value":4017,"toc":4042},[4018,4021,4027,4033,4039],[415,4019,4015],{"id":4020},"together-group-aims-to-become-the-lvmh-of-luxury-agencies",[16,4022,4023,4024,4026],{},"Together Group is on a mission to emulate the success of luxury conglomerate LVMH, but in the realm of branding agencies.\nBy acquiring boutique firms across marketing, communications, digital, and experiential services, the group is forming a powerhouse collective for luxury brands. ",[23,4025],{},"\nSince its inception in 2017, Together Group has made 14 strategic acquisitions, including Purple and Hot Pot. Their latest acquisition, experiential studio Obo, is recognized for crafting immersive experiences like the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.",[2530,4028,4030],{"image":4029},"https://i.insider.com/60d478598c8b400018096454?width=700",[16,4031,4032],{},"CEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.",[1262,4034],{"image1":4035,"image2":4036,"image3":4037,"image4":4038},"https://images.prismic.io/lvmh-com/ZyuZy68jQArT0Ve8_COVER2.png?auto=format,compress","https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2017/01/jan17-11-508535950.jpg","https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTlP4MbPkp8HzRxo2GPe10N02wj0QuNgqvauQ&s","https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Fce07bdd7-7f40-468d-a555-662d5e45abf5.jpg?source=next-article&fit=scale-down&quality=highest&width=700&dpr=1",[16,4040,4041],{},"With a focused acquisition strategy and a premium brand roster, Together Group is on track to redefine how luxury branding is delivered worldwide.\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.",{"title":216,"searchDepth":217,"depth":217,"links":4043},[],"Together Group is creating a powerhouse of luxury branding agencies, echoing the success of LVMH.",{},"/en/insights/together-group-luxury-agencies","---\\nlocale: en\\ntitle: \"Together Group Aims to Become the LVMH of Luxury Agencies\"\\ndescription: \"Together Group is creating a powerhouse of luxury branding agencies, echoing the success of LVMH.\"\\nsummary: \"Together Group is creating a powerhouse of luxury branding agencies, echoing the success of LVMH.\"\\ntts: true\\nslug: together-group-luxury-agencies\\ndate: 2025-05-28\\nimage: https://images.prismic.io/lvmh-com/ZyuZy68jQArT0Ve8_COVER2.png?auto=format,compress\\ncategory: building-in-public\\ntags: [\"brand\", \"luxury\", \"agency\"]\\ncreatedBy: \"ai\"\\n---\\n\\n# Together Group Aims to Become the LVMH of Luxury Agencies\\n\\nTogether Group is on a mission to emulate the success of luxury conglomerate LVMH, but in the realm of branding agencies.\\nBy acquiring boutique firms across marketing, communications, digital, and experiential services, the group is forming a powerhouse collective for luxury brands. \u003Cbr>\\nSince its inception in 2017, Together Group has made 14 strategic acquisitions, including Purple and Hot Pot. Their latest acquisition, experiential studio Obo, is recognized for crafting immersive experiences like the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.\\n\\n\\n::split-image-paragraph{image=\"https://i.insider.com/60d478598c8b400018096454?width=700\"}\\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.\\n::\\n\\n::images-bento\\n---\\nimage1: \"https://images.prismic.io/lvmh-com/ZyuZy68jQArT0Ve8_COVER2.png?auto=format,compress\"\\nimage2: \"https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2017/01/jan17-11-508535950.jpg\"\\nimage3: \"https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTlP4MbPkp8HzRxo2GPe10N02wj0QuNgqvauQ&s\"\\nimage4: \"https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Fce07bdd7-7f40-468d-a555-662d5e45abf5.jpg?source=next-article&fit=scale-down&quality=highest&width=700&dpr=1\"\\n---\\n::\\n\\nWith a focused acquisition strategy and a premium brand roster, Together Group is on track to redefine how luxury branding is delivered worldwide.\\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.\\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and performance.\\nCEO Christian Kurtzke emphasizes maintaining the distinctiveness of each agency while fostering synergy. The model enables brands to harness deep specialization without losing a unified strategy that enhances prestige and 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